What All Means

Shortly before he died, Singer Rich Mullins wrote a song about the infant daughter of a friend. The little girl, Madeline, was born severely handicapped. The Dr wasn't sure that Madeline would survive. In an interview after Rich's death the Madeline's father said that every time Rich would come to their home he would whisper into Madeline's ear.  He asked Rich what was he whispering.  "My prayers". "I believe when Madeline prays she prays for us all"

The notion that a little girl who could not speak, had almost no cognitive ability heard or understood Rich Mullins prayers smacks of sentimentality. Or at least our cynical hearts tell us. How could she possible know what a prayer was, let alone repeat it?

But there is great wisdom in what Mullins did.  I don't think it was sentimental at all. he simply had a good grasp on what the Kingdom of God is all about. In an earthly kingdom only the powerful, the beautiful, the "gifted" can make a difference. In God's Kingdom even those for whom the world has little use can change the world. In fact we have a God who delights in using the least likely people to advance His Kingdom. He uses the murderer Moses, the adulterer David, the persecutor Saul, and the braggadocios Peter. He uses broken vessels like you and me. So why is it so strange to believe the prayers of Madeline could move mountains?

The church is at its best when we remember this.  In the church, in this this little frail microcosm of redemption. everyone has a place. All are loved. All are useful. We are all hampered by something.  For some of us its a physical or developmental difficulty. Some of us are hampered by fear, or guilt or regret. Most of us struggle with sin in some area of our lives. And yet Jesus still has a place for us. He still welcomes us and puts us to work in His Kingdom.

In this Election Week it's easy to believe that power lies with the charismatic, the wealthy, the well known. But the Bible tells us all of that will pass away. I for one am thankful that in the end my allegiance lies in a Kingdom where the prayers of the Madeline's of the world still make a difference.
If you would like to hear Madeline's song, cut and paste the link provided below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTwjsorzNz4

In Christ
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones