Abandoned

As we go about our days, we can miss so many big and little things around us. For the past year, I have been riding my bike past the same abandoned building. As I stopped and spent some time wandering around the outside of the building on this particular day, I believe that the Lord had something that He wanted me to see.

From the look of the broken wood pallets and the size of the building and parking area, it seemed like it had been a fairly large business. As I looked upon the broken windows and the office equipment that littered the inside, I took notice of smaller details, such as the magnets still on filing cabinets, empty file folders, and even computer cases.

As I stood upon the wooden pieces that crushed and crumbled beneath my feet, I heard geese in the distance. As I looked towards the geese, my eyes were drawn to the horizon in which the bright, blue sky met the newly vibrant leafing trees. Also, my eyes fell upon new shoots of grass growing in the distance amongst the rubble of the building. Even though I was surrounded by abandonment, my eyes were drawn to new life, and drawn away from looking down towards looking up to a hope and newness of life.

I couldn't help but wonder about the people who had worked here and where they are now. How many people called this their workplace, now abandoned?

Psalm 9:10 – Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you. (NLT)

What a truth there is in this Scripture and such a reassurance for us as believers. How about the world, though, where people still feel abandoned and are searching? Are we taking steps in our Christian walk to reach them, to reach into their spiritual darkness and show them a hope and a way?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the cross from which Your life flows. Through Your going to the cross, we have a hope and a life eternal. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Julie Bowles