If Jesus was at your door but
he was disguised as a homeless drunk
Would you let him in?
This afternoon as we were walking back to our living space, which is located directly behind the ministry, we notice that there was a man sitting on the step outside our door. Now our ministry is located in a rather busy but very poor part of Medellin so it is not uncommon for people to be sitting on the side of the road. We could have easily ignored him and went on in our door, but he purposefully came and sat in front of our door. He had the ministries address written on a piece of paper and he spoke to us as we approached our door. You see Antonio is an alcoholic and he came to us because he knew the organization is full of people that are overflowing with the holy spirit and compassion for people like him. He had had enough and wanted to be clean from alcohol for good. We could’ve walked right in our door but we decided to listen to him. It was a blessing he spoke English as our Spanish is very broken.
Tonight he is going to get the chance to begin the process of breaking free from addiction. If you know anyone who has ever suffered from it you know that just taking that first step is often a huge burden to overcome. He will also get something to eat to night as well as a place to sleep. And it is because we took the time to listen to his story that he has hope, he has a chance at redemption. In God’s eyes everyone has a story and they all matter, even a drunken old man at your doorstep. To Jesus he doesn’t see a drunken man but he sees a son that simply lost his way. Like the story of the prodigal son Jesus is throwing a party when one of his lost makes the decision to return home, even if it is a long journey ahead.
Looking into Antonio’s eyes I didn’t see a worthless old drunk, I saw a man that still had a glimmer of hope. I saw Jesus in disguise. I hope that Antonio’s story isn’t complete yet. He may be a old man but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t still have a little tread left for his tires. I was reminded once again that it is stories like this of hope and redemption that we go to foreign countries to serve and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. If you saw Jesus in disguise would you open your door for him?
