What the county parade and my sermon this Sunday have in common

Wednesday night, our church drove 2 floats through our county parade. The first float was for our Awana kids and the 2nd for the Teen IMPACT group. It is something we do every year as an opportunity for the kids to be in the parade and the remind the community of some of the programs that our church offers. 

This year the crowd seemed a little larger than some of the previous years, and the kids were all over the place! It was great to see so many families out and to see them having a great time. It is one of the reasons that we love living in our community so much. 

As I drove the bus down Hwy 62, I watched as people lined both sides of the street having a great time watching the parade and kids were loving all the candy. 

Sunday I am preaching from Acts 18:1-17 and as I was preparing for the message this picture and these verses really stood out to me in very personal way:

• Acts 18:9-10- Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

"For I have many people in this city." These words have been going around and around in my thoughts since then. 

As I thought of the mass of people watching the parade, chasing candy, or just enjoying some fun time together, I was struck by the thought that God was worthy of the worship of their lives. Often I can relate far too well with Jonah, I am more concerned with my comforts and desires than the souls of the people around me. But God see them and has compassion, He loves them, He gave Himself for them. 

Lord give me eyes to see people as you see them!