As we walk through the township of Phumlani, one of the most dangerous townships within the area around us, I can’t help but be overwhelmed by what I see in front of me. Poverty around every corner, dirty streets covered with trash, the smell of smoke and alcohol every step you take. As I catch the deep stares from the people we pass I see hurt, want, and desperation in their eyes. I need to physically stop, take a beat, and take it all in. Can I really make a difference? Can change really be possible?
I revert back to the all-so-famous question: What would Jesus do? In this moment, how can I model his character? Jesus would hang out here. Jesus would look into those eyes of desperation and breathe hope. Jesus would go into the dark areas and begin to shine light into them.
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12
While I stop to take it all in I fight with God in my head. God, I am terrified. People randomly get shot on the streets here. Gang members hang out at every corner. You want me to walk these streets every day and spread your good news?
“I wouldn’t turn around and walk the other way. I wouldn’t judge and only talk to the people that seem safe. I wouldn’t get scared and cower away from what my Father is calling me to do. For He has not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about Him.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8)
As scared as I was of this place and what I saw in front of me I took up my cross and I followed. I said YES.
We continue to walk through the streets and we come across a small shack filled with men of all ages getting drunk, smoking, and listening to loud music. Instantly when I saw them God said, “Well… how strong is your YES? Go love on them and tell them about me. Remember… I am always with you.”
I walked up to them and of course the drunkest man comes up to me, barely able to stand. I begin to friendly talk to him and soon enough he asks me what I’m doing here. Nervously I begin to talk to him about Jesus and he says boldly to me that he knows Jesus. He tells me he even has a Bible inside if I wanted to see it. I, without even thinking, agree and he stumbles inside to go get it. While waiting on the street with the members of my team and male drunkards I begin to fear. What if he brings out a gun or a knife? Why didn’t I think this through? I could be in great danger? But God kept gluing my feet to the sidewalk. I have nothing to fear for He is with me. And wouldn’t you know… the man came back from inside with his Bible and we were able to talk about Jesus together; even if it was a bit sloppy with him being drunk. I was able to pray with him and our team of all girls walked away from the party of drunken men safe and surprisingly filled with more joy than we came with.
God taught me a lesson through this. God has given us all the responsibility to impact others; to love others. His compassion is what drove Jesus to action! We’ve allowed rejection and fear to harden out hearts. But Jesus keeps knocking. He still loved people who hated him; even people who betrayed him. How long can we keep saying we’re too busy to help, too busy to stop, and too busy to love even just a single person?
It doesn’t matter where you are in the world right now. I encourage you to push through fear with Christ’s strength and GO. Say YES. Do something about the community around you; the world around you. Say YES and GO. One person can make a difference. Be the church that is reaching the lost, the drunkards, the desperate. Can we be the church that changes the one? YES.
