It caught my eye sitting at the light, so I had to turn in. Its emptiness made me feel lonely, lonely at first for the business that once was there, and then for the people who used to work there. "It was only a motorcycle shop, no one is going to miss its closing." And on the surface you may be right. But at one time this shop had 30 employees-30 families that once depended on this shop for their income, now they had none. Looking at the once spotless windows, you could see posters from a few years back, when for whatever reason the owners decided to close up, shut down the business, and lock the doors they left behind as a marker of what had been there, and when it ended. But this one business closing had more effects than meets the eye.
I noticed the deli next to it also vacant. The gas station on the corner closed. And where once had been a proud business, with an immaculate storefront, was now a lot full of weeds, filthy windows, and graffiti. Along with the other businesses I remembered. Even the real estate signs were faded-who could possibly want a run down building in a run down neighbor hood like this? And what about the families? Thirty families forced to change their lifestyles. Some who had worked there for their entire lives, where would they go? Who wants to hire someone in their fifties who only knew motorcycle parts? Or sold a line of motorcycles? What about their 401k's and retirement plans? What about their immediate plans for vacations, weddings, and graduations? What about all the loans and the mortgage that accompany life these days? Who will pay them if they are out of work for a long period of time? Yes, changes would definitely have to be made for the future-and they were changes not of a brighter outlook, but one of damage control. Ones that just because a business closed forced them into a lifestyle that they never thought could or would happen to them. Just a motorcycle shop? Maybe there was more to them and their place in the community than just loud pipes. Maybe they will be missed more than anyone ever knew. At least the surrounding businesses were effected, for just like them they closed, too. For there is no isolated closure in the business community, we all are affected by it and changed by it somehow.
Sin is like that, too. Take the man, for example who only took things from work he thought no one would miss. He did it for years, almost became a legend. Then one day he is called into the boss's office and let go. His stealing had gone on too long, and as a manager and employee, was expected to set an example for others. They had only hesitated in their action out of respect, but soon that had faded too, and he was let go.
What was he going to do? He had a mortgage, both cars leased, a son in college, and his daughter's wedding next June. Who would pay for these? How would he pay for his wife's $100 hair styling each month? Their lives would be severely altered-no more Friday nights out, no more trips to the river, and he may have to let some of the toys that filled the garage be repossessed-for he owned nothing, his life was built on credit-which he only had because of his ability to pay, and now that was gone.
"My sin doesn't effect anyone but me," they boast. But fail to see that there is no such thing as an isolated sin. It touches all of your life, and all in it. Consider that before you flirt with the receptionist, and soon end up having lunch with her. Explain that to your wife. It was only an R movie, then an X, and now porn-explain that to your daughter. And it was only taking a few things that no one would miss-but someday the bill comes due, and it always does. It is the payday that no one expected, or planned for. The wages of sin is death. The absence of life. There is no forgiveness, forgetting, or healing in it-it is final. With only one way out-Jesus. He shows mercy via forgiveness, forgets all your sins, and promises you a way out, but it takes repentance, not just saying you are sorry, for who isn't sorry when they get caught. It takes a change of heart, and a turning from sin, to grace. A gift, so don't try to buy it, borrow it, or steal it-you cannot earn it either. And your sin will find you out, if not here, it will on judgment day, where it will be too late. The wages of sin is death-and you will have earned them, and the eternal hell that goes with them. A retirement plan that no one planned on-or for.
Just an isolated sin? Aren't you glad God is not an isolated God? He is available to all who seek Him, and only Jesus is the way to Him, He makes it that simple.
When looking in the windows of the empty shop, amid the dust and dirt I saw a reflection of those who were effected when it closed. Memories left behind, now that meant nothing. Don't let sin be the only thing your life reflects-trust Jesus and let His light shine through the cracks in your life. We do not know what tomorrow brings, today has enough problems of its own. But our actions today will impact tomorrow.
I choose to face life everyday with Jesus. If you see anything else when you look in the mirror, it is temporal. If you see Jesus, it is forever. Just a sin or just a life? Only in trusting God will you ever know how many lives you really touch-let Him touch yours today. It could never happen to me just might without Him.
love with compassion,
Mike
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