Suddenly through my Vivaldi, I heard him asking me, "Are you attending seminary or something?" while pointing at my open bible and notebook.
Feeling surprised and a little annoyed, I removed my earbud to answer him in the negative, when I noticed a well worn and used pocket Gideon's New Testament open in his hands to the book of Romans! After offering a weak, "No," I said, "just spending time in the Word, You?" while nodding to the bible in his hands.
He smiled at me through his thick beard and said, "Nah, just cruzin' through Romans," and began tucking his small bible into the pocket of his backpack right next to his worn copy of "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers! "Actually," he continued, as he stood up for his bus, "I love all of Paul's letters, I can't get enough of them!" With that, he turned and boarded his bus and was gone.
Convicted in my heart, I looked down to where my thumb was keeping my place in the bible, and it rested next to this verse in Titus 2:11 - "For the Grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to ALL people." I looked up and watched the bus pull away and realized that I'd judged this young man unworthy to receive what Jesus Christ had freely given me, based on his appearances alone.
Suddenly tears stood in my eyes and I realized what a hypocrite I am, and how it was actually ME - not this young man - who needed the offered grace. God had taken me down a peg, and reminded me that His grace is for ALL people, including unkempt, long-haired young men with full beards, and even fuller smiles.
Abba Father, keep me humble. Keep me unhinged... so you can fill me to overflowing with your grace, In your name, Jesus, AMEN!
