Do you recall the Eureka story of Archimedes? Without getting into any scientific detail I'll begin at the notable part -- Archimedes is drawing a bath, climbs in without noticing the water's level, and a great majority overflows onto the floor. In this situation, many of us would be mumbling and grumbling at the mess needing cleaned -- but Archimedes did not. Instead, he was suddenly able to answer a very tough question about mass and density which so thrilled him that he jumped out of the tub and ran through the streets of Rome, undressed, shouting "Eureka! Eureka!" -- translated to mean "I found it!"
Archimedes was overwhelmed, just as the Three Wise Men were when they came up on a divine manifestation of their own - baby Jesus. Can you imagine the joy they must have felt when after years of studying the heavens, God used one star to beckon them to witness firsthand our King of Kings? Matthew 2:11 tells us "... on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." But don't you think, maybe, a small part of them wanted to run into the streets screaming "We have found Him! We have found Him!"
What a glorious moment it is to find God is, was, and will always be in your life. One we pray, in God's timing, will happen for each Kairos participant. I wonder what their first glorious encounter with God might be like. It could be initiated by a kind welcoming handshake or seen in a peer joyfully working hard as a Servant. Maybe the 50th cookie will accompany a sense of peaceful satisfaction, or a particular name signed to a prayer chain may act as the heart softening agent. Through the Kairos Prison Ministry programs there are plenty of ways you can be an example of Christ through agape love. Time spent serving on a Team, baking a cookie, or even providing a financial gift are all acts of sacrifice and examples of God's hands and feet at work, showing love to each participant.
Though I was not present in the stable, or a towns person in Rome, I do know this... our Eureka moment , our divine Epiphany is unique to each of us, and inspiring for others to witness. If you have never been to a Closing - come and see first hand the joy when someones declare "I came for cookies, and I found God." Some may jump for joy, while others may humbly bow - but it is guaranteed all will be blessed.
To read more about Epiphany :
Matthew 2:1-12,
related commentary
More information can be found online about
Kairos Prison Ministries International, or for Units and families being served in the Dallas Fort Worth area email kairos@friscofumc.org
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