Bells Will Be Ringing
At the St. Jude marathon they gave out cowbells for supporters to ring to encourage those running. As I ran through the campus of the research hospital in Memphis there was a little boy on the right side of the route with little green glasses similar to the ones my Daniel wears. I could tell he was a patient because of the lack of hair on his head and how skinny he was but he was ringing that cowbell. He was ringing it with all he could muster. I sincerely hope it is not the last time he gets to ring a bell. I hope he finishes the treatment and gets to ring the traditional bell that signifies the end of treatment. If the statement “every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings” is true, I sure hope they are suiting up a bunch of them.
That little guy was perfectly placed along my route. I was making pretty good time but my motivation was wearing thin. Then I saw him giving that bell the business. Overcome with emotion I tried to continue running and despite the water gathering in my eyelids I was able to pick up my pace. He helped me get a little farther down the road. Oftentimes we just need that extra nudge to get a little farther down the road. The Bible says in reference to the importance of hospitality that some have “entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2). This verse reminds me of Alabama’s song “Angels Among Us” and the value of being signposts to our final destination. We are not given much description of that final destination in the Bible but we do have a wealth of information on how to be signposts to others about how to get there. As the song goes “They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places, To grace us with their mercy in our time of need To show us how to live, to teach us how to give”. Even if you are skeptical about the involvement of angelic beings in our everyday life. Even if you are skeptical about the Bible itself. The ancient text does include practical ways to impact the world for good! Give it another read, especially Matthew 5-7.
Another popular song during this time of year says “Bells will be ringing the glad, glad news” that may describe the joy that we know angels celebrate over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). If the angels celebrate the return of the prodigal sons and daughters, how much more does the Holy Trinity? What should our reaction be? Sin is awful and hostile towards God but God has made a way for all of us to return if we are open to the opportunity. All of us have the opportunities and responsibility to be the signpost everyday. Even in our failings we can be a signpost to finish the course (1 John 1). Our attitude determines how often we point to the finish line. There are a lot of people out there who desperately need that encouragement and the next “nudge” might make or break them. How you see those moments will determine if you seize them for the Creator or allow the accuser to waste them.
Travis