By Robert Clements
She stood at the traffic light holding a bunch of roses.
They looked tired, and so did she.
A large car stopped beside her. Inside sat a famous film star wearing dark glasses large enough to hide both her eyes and her expression.
The little child flower seller hurried towards the window.
“Madam, please buy one.”
The film star waved her away impatiently.
At that very moment, a photographer clicked a picture. The next morning, the photograph appeared on social media with a glowing description of how kindly the celebrity had acknowledged a poor child.
I looked carefully at the picture.
The film star’s name was mentioned.
The photographer’s name was mentioned.
The designer of the dress was mentioned.
Even the expensive car could be identified.
But what was the name of the girl selling flowers?
Nobody knew.
She was simply described as a beggar.
It reminded me of the story Jesus told in Luke 16:19 to 31. A rich man dressed in purple and fine linen and lived splendidly every day. Outside his gate lay a poor beggar, covered with sores, longing for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.
Now here comes the strange part: The beggar had a name.
Lazarus.
The rich man did not.
Just imagine that!
During his lifetime, everyone must have known the rich man’s name. It was probably engraved on his gate, embroidered on his towels and printed boldly on every invitation.
“Mr So and So requests the pleasure of your company.”
Lazarus probably received no invitations. The dogs noticed him, but society did not.
Yet when Jesus told the story, the rich man’s name disappeared, while the beggar’s name remained.
When Lazarus died, the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. Heaven knew exactly who he was.
Perhaps you sometimes feel like that flower seller. You are pushed aside, ignored or treated as though you do not matter. Powerful people stride past you surrounded by cameras, applause and security guards. Their names fill newspapers, television screens and enormous posters, while yours seems known only to the electricity company when the bill is unpaid.
But take heart.
God knows your name.
He sees you struggling against oppression, injustice and wrong. He watches you remain faithful when nobody applauds. He remembers every tear, every prayer and every act of kindness performed when no camera was present.
The world may write famous names in flashing lights.
Those lights will eventually go out.
But the Book of Life uses a different measure of greatness.
And while those who ignored you may remain as nameless as the rich man, your name, like Lazarus, is known in heaven.
Yes, dear friend, be assured, it is being written in gold...!
bobsbanter@gmail.
