Hear me...please.

I showed my friend Sarah "Koren's Story" today (which is in the videos space of this blog) because she had a unique moment this morning. She said that she was seeking God's guidance out the night before.She explained to me that the Lord speaks to her through verses so she seeks out the wisdom of the word when in doubt (something we should all probably do more often).

After last night, she woke up the morning with the verse John 2:12  which says "after this he went down to CAPERNAUM with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days." Along with the verse she had the words "ask and seek direction." Once she opened up her bible to "seek direction" she saw the verse and the word Capernaum. She told me about this story and I decided to show her "Koren's Story" just to give her a perspective for what Capernaum is about.

After watching the video with her I immediately thought of a kid who I met two years ago that was a lot like Koren. He was unable to speak but motioned and made moans and grunts. One night at camp after club a few leaders and I went to get him to take him back to the cabin for cabin time (reflection and discussion time). When we tried to pick him up he began to grunt and moan loudly. We had to leave so we did our best to be courteous and polite but he did not seem to be in agreement with something about what we were doing. Tears poured down his face as I sat there patiently trying to understand what he desired and needed from me.

The only thing that kept me from tears was my exhaustion from the activities during the day. Sitting there I felt lost and confused, but I can only imagine how lost and confused he may have felt. Having so much to say but being unable to speak and have his voice heard.

I am so overjoyed to be part of a ministry that seeks to listen to those who are unable to speak and to walk alongside those who can not walk. There is so much suffering in all of our lives. I can't imagine a life in which I was unable to make my frustrations and hurt known to the world. To tell someone that I love them...to say thank you. We live in a world that won't stop and listen...even to the smallest and most mute of cries.

Leviticus 13:45 says "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!'" Its funny how society changes so much but also stays so similar. Do you listen to the cries of the "diseased"? Do you hear their cries of 'Unclean'? We affirm the feelings of the "unclean" constantly as we ignore them. We tell them with our actions that we believe they have nothing to say. God listens to ALL of us, especially the afflicted (Psalm 72:12). Lets join in and open the ears of our heart.