LIFTER OF THE VEIL WE CAN BE
The old lady, at least she seemed like it to me, made her way in the communion line right on up to the altar. Earlobes dangling from pressure of the weighted attire she wore upon each one, they sagged. Please, Lord, don’t let me have big earlobes like that when I grow up was the thought of the child in the pew looking on. The thought just free floated its way on into my memory banks.
The elasticity of her skin was remarkable as the droop in her eyes somehow managed to hold the make-up upon them. Her lips beheld bright color giving way to no possibility of turning that frown upside down. Tall she was. Remote she was from my world as I only observed her in the communion line Sunday after Sunday.
I’d sorta forgotten about her—until... “Had it not been for people like Ethel, I wouldn’t be where I am today. By hindsight, I can see how the Lord was faithful to me. Life was difficult when growing up. Had it not been for her and a few others (my friend went on to name names in the small town in which we grew up), I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.
And what is my friend doing? He is now serving faithfully in ways not even he could have imagined. Working alongside other Christians, he personally manages the safety of their global travel which reaches millions. Tis a gift he’s been bestowed and know this he does. Ethel and others in town lifted the veil so my friend could see, one day, the goodness of the Lord.
My friend now lifts the veil so others may see the goodness of the Lord. His friend, with whom he works, lifts the veil so the lives he touches may see. May this global community lift the veil so others may see the goodness of the Lord.
A question begins to form. Are we lifting the veil so others may see the goodness of the Lord?
I see glimpses of those around who are lifting and the wings beneath which inspire. Just this past week I saw a someone give a ride to another so they could attend church. A donation was given to one in need, and I was awestruck. Meals on Wheels appears to be served up by the very ones who qualify for it and my mind reels at the goodness of the Lord. Another sermon speaks life as groups gather to go deeper. The pastor writes and the pastor speaks, and the heaviness of the veil is lifted so others may continue their lifting…and so, it goes.
Sunday School teachers lift high not only the cross but the veil for little eyes to catch a glimpse. Someone had to have painted the steeple upon the church sheltering those who upon bended knee long to peer into the soul veils of their hearts. Lifting it when we stumble or fall along the journey is happening all around.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 speaks. “But when man turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for it is come from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
I thank God for those who lifted the veil so I could taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Ultimately, it is not we who do the lifting, it is you in us, Lord. Hold fast Lord—hold fast that we may lift them high so others may catch a glimpse of the foretaste of the feast to come. Amen.
