Beauty and the Beast

Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is Merciful and Gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”

Ephesians 2:4 But God, Being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us (Jesus)


On the plane ride to Delhi, I encountered two distinctly different sites within minutes of each other that I will never forget. One was totally majestic. It was the snow covered Mountains North of I think Hungary and somewhere between Paris and Tehran. I guess I will have to get the map out and try to pin point it when I get a minute. It was honestly one of the most awe inspiring sites I have ever seen. To see the magnificent height and might of God’s work beautifully covered with the brilliant, pure-white snow pointed me to my Savior. He is Mighty and rises above all in His sovereign justice, but He is brilliantly pure and gentle in His Love. It will not be difficult to remember the majesty of that view.

Only moments later I saw another view that will not be soon forgotten either. Mother Nature called, so I got up and walked to the bathroom. I started to open the bathroom door as it said vacant, and when I pulled the door back it revealed a frozen in the headlights, 70 year old French woman doing her thing. She stared at me in shock. I quickly shut the door, in more shock, and did my best to quickly move to another part of the plane in search of relief. I do no think I will forget that site for a while either. It was just kind of gruesome, if I had to put an adjective on it.

Upon further reflection, I think that is what my life looks like before God. One minute He is smiling and thinking, “That old boy finally got something right” as he sees Jesus in me, harvesting fruit for His kingdom. The next minute my flesh steals the show and he sees the gruesome ugliness of Chad without Christ. His mercy and patience amaze me freshly every day.

We are on an Air France flight and so thank you is expressed “Mercee”. In my southern drawl it comes out more like “mercy”. Thank you father for your mercy! I need to say that more, with more conviction every day.