Hope Lives Here

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:35, 36, 40

 

These verses become real when I took to the streets Monday night with a group of young adults who have just started an adventure of their lives. These participants come from across Canada and the USA, and are preparing to depart on Real Life trips to India, Kenya and Swaziland. They got off planes to wait for hours in an airport. When they thought they were done waiting, there was more waiting. Reminds me of our typical World Race saying “Hurry up and Wait.”

 

With no idea what was ahead, the participants scrambled through instructions to get to their destination. After a typical “missionary” dinner (PB & J) we put on the warmest clothes possible, and left the comforts of the Safehouse to walk the streets of Downtown Atlanta. Streets that are “known” for prostitution, drugs, alcoholism, abandonment, the homeless and needy. A place that has a name, yet is “undefined.” A place that most people don’t want to enter. It’s a fear. It’s a way of life.

 

 

These are only a few of the questions that the participants pondered. This is only the beginning of the journey they are on. They are already exhausted after a long day of travel. 4am is a LONG way off. They are “strangers” – knowing each other only a few hours, and now “forced” to be real with each other and love on others the way Jesus would. Can they do it – survive a night on the streets? With NOTHING but the clothes on their backs and their love for he Lord. Are they up for the challenge? What is God doing and going to do? Will they be Jesus to them?  

 

I was blessed to be able to live on the streets for a few hours. I was excited to see a small glimpse of the reality that goes on around me every day, that most people are unaware of. As part of the serve team, I became a leader. A leader who couldn’t direct. A leader who listens and prays and encourages. A leader who was asked to let the participants battle it out on their own – following the voice of the Lord.

 

Or is it?

A night on the streets opened eyes. It turned the attention off of us
and turned it to God. We stopped being selfish and became broken, compassionate and prayerful. What else can you do when you have NOTHING but
what is in front of you!? You have God. You depend on Him unlike those
of us who have everything and more. 

There is LIFE. There is Hope. Just because people to not have a place to lay their head, does not mean that Christ doesn’t reside in their lives. The men and women we met on the street that night changed my life. The hungry fed us spiritually. The strangers became friends.

 

God asks us to feed those who are hungry. Clothe those who need clothes. Give drink to those who are thirsty….

Although I couldn’t give them money, I could give them Jesus. I didn’t have food, but I had love. 

Through the frustrations, tears, conflicts and cold – hearts were touched.

 

I am still growing, changing, learning. My life has been changed, again!