Growing up, I didn't listen to pop music. I remember mostly classical, hymns, and songs from the 40's, 50's and 60's. I didn't discuss my musical tastes at school. I had a hard enough time making friends without mentioning Rosemary Clooney. I would pretend I had heard the latest New Kids on the Block tune. I knew who they were. They were those guys on every t-shirt in school.
Knowing this, it may not surprise you that I am not a big Michael Jackson fan. (Yes, I hear your collective sigh.) It isn't that I don't like his music, I just haven't heard it.
On the first day of our clinic in India, Dr. Bobby Capps announced that the song of the day was "Man in the Middle". I didn't know that he meant "Man in the Mirror". (I didn't find out until last year the Hall and Oates were two people and not a band named "Haulin' Oats". I grew up on a farm. Hauling oats made more sense.)I don't know if he was kidding or not but, after saying "Man in the Middle" four times, Bobby corrected himself and said it was Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". He then half-spoke, half-sang the chorus, bouncing his knees and emphasizing the important parts with hand motions:
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change.
We were there in India to make a change. To change circumstances for the better. To be extensions of God's healing arms. It starts inside each of us. Others before ourselves. Michael Jackson. Who knew?!
The man in the mirror IS the man in the middle. Be aware of the problem. Change your attitude. Take action. We get to be in the MIDDLE of God's great work. He allows us to take His love and spread it around as thick as we can lay it. He gave us gifts to use on those who need them so that He may be glorified.
Take a look at the man (or woman) in the mirror, change your ways, and go get in the middle of things!
P.S. This does not mean you have to travel to India to make a difference. But you could...
Anna Janzen-Lancaster, RN
3 - read/write comments:
Anna,
This is awesome! So true! I think this trip has truely changed our lives forever. Thanks for this blog.
I was asked by a few people after the gathering tonight to post My “ah-ha” moment. Here it is, hope you all are doing well. By the way....Anna, loved what you wrote. As I said on facebook, you are so beautiful both inside and out!
On the rooftops of India, its 7pm. Monkeys are jumping in the trees, a beautiful sunset is occuring in the seemingly endless sky, and people are congregating on the roofs of their homes, enjoying a break from the heat. The streets are busy, crowded with cows, walkers, and bikers. A truly amazing and memorable site.
Then the sound...voices singing praises to God ring out over the city! It’s the kids meeting as they do every night. I think I have experienced nothing more wonderful....the sound of heart felt praise from people who really mean it.
What would I have been doing at this time in my own home? Likely rushing around back from a sports practice, franticly getting dinner on the table,...TV on in the back ground, homework and projects. Worshipping would be far from our minds.
I thought we were going to help them, but I think it is us who need the help. Many of us wanted to take kids home from their “horrible” conditions, but who really has the horrible conditions?
We are so surrounded by our constant business and noise....ipods, tv, cell phones, chatter... when do we really relate to God? Our kids may worship on sunday, maybe a bit here and there, but for these kids, it is an all day occurence starting with 5am prayer and ending with 7pm worship. 97% of them go into ministry. They are the ones who are sold out and solid in their faith. They need little in life as they are fullfilled by their faith, it is not just another activity to fill their already crammed up day.
I am unsure now which of us really needs the help.
Erica Noyes.
(Question: Given the choice, would you chose a wealthy life with a comfortable yet shallow or absent relationship with God, or would you choose to live as an orphan, and have a deep meaningful relationship?)
For what does it profit a man to gain to whole world yet lose his own soul?
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