Proverbs 20:5 says: “A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.”

Last night at 61^st Avenue UMC, I experienced refreshment from the deep wells of the homeless and those living in poverty. A quickly-put-together Bible study was the cup to draw out these insights. Going through various emotions, I invited participants to share the scriptures that give them comfort when they’re afraid, peace when they are anxious, assurance when there’s doubt, etc.

Steven walked into the room after we had already gotten started. A young man with shades and a hat on, I assumed he might sit there with skepticism and not participate. But when I asked the group which scriptures they go to when they are anxious, he quickly recited the passage from Isaiah 41:10:

“Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated: I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.”

Time after time he confronted my assumptions, sharing among strangers his search, his struggle and the respite in scriptures he had found. Had I passed him by on the street outside the sacred walls of this little church, I never would have imagined the depth of spiritual searching and knowledge that dwelled inside him. I would have missed out on one of God’s Images…the Imago Dei within him.

Charles Dickens wrote about Kit in The Old Curiosity Shop: “Thank Heaven that the temples of such spirits are not made with hands, and that they may be even more worthily hung with poor patchwork than with purple and fine linen!” While our eyes revere those made of “purple and fine linen” sometimes the finest gifts can be found in those we’d quickly pass by.

My prayer is that my eyes become like God’s – looking upon humanity from the heart, not just the outer appearance. I just don’t want to miss out on the joy of finding such unexpected treasure.