Heaven In The Now By Ace CollinsSample

Day 3

Farsighted (I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now)

Mark 1:13

Shorty Carter was a small man who, in the 1950s, in the rural, Kentucky town where he lived, was known as the village idiot. The diminutive Shorty was developmentally disabled. He lived alone in a shack decorated with things he found in other people’s trash, he had no money, wore clothes given to him by others, and was the butt of endless jokes and pranks. Both children and adults constantly picked on him. Yet, even the cruelest words could not break the man’s spirit. He never quit smiling and always greeted others with a happy “Hello.”

While he belonged to no specific congregation, Shorty never missed an opportunity to worship. Sometimes he attended three or four different churches in one day. No matter if it was Methodist, Assembly of God, Baptist, or Presbyterian, some folks groaned when Shorty entered the sanctuary because they all knew at some point during the service he would ask to speak. After a while most preachers ignored Shorty’s request, in fact, some even suggested the man would be better served if he didn’t go to church at all. Such was the rejection Shorty constantly faced. He had a story to tell, but no one would let him share it.

One Sunday, when a pastor finally allowed him to testify, Shorty spoke of how hard his life was and how people didn’t understand him. He also talked about being poor and mistreated. Then he turned to how much God loved and accepted him and what a joy it was to know that God had a purpose for his life. And because of that love and acceptance, the devil wasn’t going to tempt him to get even with those who spoke harshly and made his life miserable. Instead, he was going to follow God and forgive them and love them. When they laughed at him, he would laugh with them. Before sitting down, Shorty smiled, looked up and declared, “You know, I wouldn't take nuthin’ for my journey now.”

When Carter was on his deathbed, one of his few friends came to visit. Though now in great pain, the small man with the positive outlook once again said, “I wouldn’t take nuthin’ for my journey now.” A short time later, Shorty was rewarded in heaven by receiving what he never had on earth — full grace and acceptance. And the friend who had been with him in the end was so moved by the way Shorty faced life and death, that he penned a song. That song, “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now” proves God did have a purpose for Shorty Carter’s life.

Each of us is tempted to lash out at those who hurt us. Rather than showing them a bit of heaven and sharing grace, we spew hell and contempt. For life’s journey, the one that paves the way to heaven, we must be like Shorty and forgive and accept. 

Lord, it’s natural to lash out, and it’s easy to condemn those who show no mercy to us. So, help us to recall the way you asked us to live. Lead us to forgive, help us to be inclusive, and let us remember that you even forgave those who nailed you to a cross.