Highlights from December: Praying for the least
Costa Rica was a slow month with the holidays but of course God is always present and willing to work in and with us as much as we let Him. A moment that stood out …
There is a weekly feeding center at 6:8 ministries, a ministry based on Micah 6:8. Most of the people that show up are those we would call the least, not just of the kingdom but of the world. The people you try not to make eye contact with when they extend their hand for change, the homeless, drunk, sick, dirty, crack addicted, prostitutes and destitute. They come in for their meal, usually still reeking of alcohol and pain. We hand out the food and chat just trying to love on them.
A man stammered in balancing on crutches, trying not to use a foot that looked like it might be beyond saving. Clearly drunk and struggling he sat down and with some prompting from the holy spirit through a teammate I went over to him, kneeled at his feet, took his hands and prayed for him.
To be perfectly honest I was repulsed by him. He smelled of body odor and stale alcohol. He slopped up food and looked like a child with a runny nose, some of his meal going in but plenty falling out of his mouth down his chin, a bit onto my food. He seemed contaminated, physically, mentally and spiritually and I didn’t really even want to be near him but I took his hands, supposedly God loved this creature.
Quickly after I started we were both in tears. I was overwhelmed with how much love God had for this child of His, so lost and whether he believed in his Father or not, some part of him believed in booze more. I think I got a glimpse of a smidgen of how God feels about his children who don’t have the strength to take a step in faith and trust that our God is greater than everything including our fears and vices.
At some level he too was deeply moved. His drunken stupor disappeared during the prayer and he wept from deep inside of himself. He didn’t understand what I was saying but for a moment he seemed to pour it all out to God with deep moans and tears, not holding anything back. Towards the end of the prayer he smiled a genuine smile that reflected relief and hope, even joy. We stared into each other’s still tearing eyes and smiled over the love and peace God had poured out one us. There were no words to be spoken in that instant and the prayer was over. Within moments a haze seemed to descend over him, his eyes glossed over and pupils dilated. He looked as if in his intoxication he hadn’t noticed me and took the opportunity to ogle the young woman that had just appeared in front of him. That was it; the spirit had left or at least seemed to.
“When we stand before God we cannot say ‘but others told me to do thus…’ or’ virtue was not convenient at the time.� — Kingdome of Heaven
This isn’t meant as an accusation but an honest question: what do you believe?
