Poor:
What is the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word “poor”?
the hungry?
the thirsty?
the naked?
the sick?
the homeless?
Poor defined by google:
1. lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society
2. of a low or inferior standard or quality
3. (of a person) deserving of pity or sympathy
But what about the possessed? or the spiritually lost?
I come to say that there is a lot more “poor” traits out there besides the physical. Why then do we immediately assume “poor” is limited to the physical aspects? I know my perspective was corrupted for a long time, still even today. When I hear the word “poor” I quickly paint a false picture in my mind. For the record I do totally believe there are poor in the physical aspects but I feel as if another aspect is totally over looked. “Poor” in faith is without a doubt just as heart breaking as the others. Although you might not physically see the pain people are going through, does not mean they don’t exist. Why have we put “poor” in a box? Honestly, why have we put “missions” in a box? Why are we continually putting Christ in a box?….I am ashamed of myself.
“Missions”, I must say is almost always defined just the same way as poor. Why? Why do we believe you must have some magical powers to go out? And when I say “GO out” I mean that as in with every step you take. You don’t need to be in Asia, Africa, or Europe to figure out that God is everywhere. Did you hear me? GOD IS EVERYWHERE. We are called to love EVERYONE, the “poor” in all aspects. I have nothing special about me, I am nothing, BUT my Heavenly Father has it ALL. He is speaking to me and through me. He calls all of us his children, he loves all of us. He loves the sick, hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, possessed, and the spiritually lost. He shows no favor and he deems us all worthy.
So where am I going with this?
I am ashamed. When I first heard I was going to Ireland I was mad. I signed up to do “missions” and to serve others. I was called to be out of my comfort zone and to be stretched….Why Ireland? Its a first world country, why should I go there? Seriously, I thought these things. I asked God to revive my heart, to teach me how to love ALL people. Who is to say that Swaziland needs Jesus more than Ireland? Wow, Faith, come on. Just because the “poor” look differently doesn’t deem it any less important to come to. Since I found out I was coming here I have been praying this prayer. Surprisingly enough God truly started changing my heart. I didn’t realize I was being changed until I finally stepped foot on the Irish soil. God is big and I am tired of putting him in a box. He is everywhere and he is opening the hearts of all his people. The church we are working with this month has put this faith into practice. They walk in boldness every day and reach out to the “poor”. You know what's crazy? They are starting to hear!? Over 300 people in this city have come to know the Lord and accept him in their hearts in the last 7 weeks. Seriously? How could I have been so close minded?
I am so blessed to have a Heavenly Father who will wake me from my selfish slumber and reveal his beautiful people to me in all different forms. Each day I am stepping into new boldness and loving ALL of God’s people. This is way more out of my comfort zone than the last 7 months have been and I am more than thankful for it. God’s love is meant to be shared with ALL of his people. So today I continue to challenge myself and to challenge you to step out in boldness. Stop putting the “poor” in a box. Stop putting “missions” in a box. Please, please, please stop putting God in a box. As you take steps out of your front door today please take a second to look around. Your mission is right at your finger tips. You have the power inside of you to serve the poor today. Allow the Lord to speak through you in every conversation you have and remember God is a lot bigger than we think he is.
Poor defined by Faith:
1. the empty
Make a sticky note and say “Poor are the empty”. Take the extra step today in finding ways that the Holy Spirit can feel those empty spaces. You are a daughter and son of Christ, you have authority to speak the truth in His name, don’t miss out.
