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Readiness, Spiritual Preparation: Illustration
The Visitor dropped in on the church service in less-than-formal attire. I felt pity for him when I saw his destitute
appearance. By the end of the service, however, I realized I was the destitute one.
Spending over an hour getting ready, I primped and prepared, making sure my outfit and accessories were flawlessly put
together. Yet what I neglected was far more evident than what I had spent time on - I had neglected to prepare myself spritually
for worship. I had been so consumed with my outward appearance that I had no time for reflection on my inward attitude.
As I heard him singing and watched his rapt attention to the preacher's words, I sensed it was his singleness of purpose
- his deep love of God - which brought him into the house of the Lord. I was upgraided at my own lack of love.
The visitor embodied the very essence of God's grace. Grace which looks beyond the rough exteriors and sees straight to
the heart -- to who we are on the inside.
The Parisee invited Jesus into his home, but not into his heart. (\reference{Luke 7:36-50}{Luke 7:36-50}). The visitor,
by his presence, was enough to convince me that I would do well to spend less time on my clothes and more time on my knees.
Judyann Grant
Light From The Word
Spring 1992
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