stories: I love you, and I’m glad you’re not dead
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
Ms. Jennie has had a rough time lately. She is the 85 year old lady from New York who lives in a local nursing home and who my family spends time with each week. About a month ago, she developed pneumonia. She had not been sick, but she woke up in the middle of the night unable to breathe. She has been on oxygen off and on for the last several weeks.
She’s also had hip problems. Her hip has been hurting her alot, and she’s been taking pain medicine that makes her groggy. She has to shift positions often because of her hip.
During the last few weeks, when we’ve visited her, we’ve been unable to stay for very long because of her breathing problems, or because her hip was hurting, or because she became groggy from her pain medicine.
But, the last time that I visited with her, she was back to her normal self. Her breathing was back to normal, and they had taken the oxygen tanks out of her room. She had had a few physical therapy sessions, and her hip was feeling much better.
When I walked in the room she smiled at me and immediately began talking. She talked about things that had happened over the last few weeks – things she had not been able to talk about before because of her breathing and her hip.
She also wanted to talk about “religious things”. This is always somewhat funny to me, because she starts by saying that she does not talk “religion” with anyone but me. She says that she tells people, “If I want to talk about religious things then I’ll talk to Alan.” I asked her why she talks with me but not with other people, and she says, “Because I know you care about me”.
While we were talking about God, she started talking about her children again. She’s angry with God because “he took” her sons in separate automobile accidents when they were both twenty-one. She also has a daughter, but her daughter is not “good” like her sons, at least according to Ms. Jennie.
She was almost in tears when she told me that her daughter once threw hot coffee in her face and yelled at her, “I hate you! I wish you were dead!”
I told her that I can’t imagine the pain that that caused. I told her that I could imagine Miranda telling me that. It would break my heart.
Then I said, “I know that I can’t make up for what your daughter did and said to you. I don’t want to try to make up for it. But, I want you to know that I love you, and I’m glad that you’re not dead”. She smiled again in spite of the pain that her memories had caused.
I don’t know why God has chosen me to love Ms. Jennie. I pray that God will use my relationship with her and my words to her to bring Ms. Jennie to himself. Only he can do that. All I can do is make myself available to him and to her.
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If you would like for me to include your story in this series, please send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
stories: Still serving Ethiopians
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
The following story comes from the blog of Dave Black. I mentioned Dave and Becky Lynn Black a few months ago in my post “stories: Loving and serving Ethiopians“. A few days ago, the Blacks returned from a three week trip to Ethiopia. They have already started writing about their trip. This is one of his stories (from Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 7:15 a.m.):
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To travel to Ethiopia is to be plunged headlong into more deprivation and hunger than most of us have ever witnessed. In my experience, only India comes close. I am very much aware that there are so many needs and so little I can do about them. This morning I would like to tell you the story of two forgotten people with whom I share this finite planet.
Zemete is a married woman in Alaba and the mother of 3 children.
When I first met her 5 years ago, she was in desperate need of fistula surgery. She could control neither her bladder nor her bowel movements. She was totally ostracized from her family and friends in her small village of Kuke. Becky and I were to able see that she got to Addis and into the excellent fistula hospital there, where she had a successful operation. That is not the end of the story, however. Upon returning to her home her husband forced himself upon her even though he knew he had to refrain from all intimacy with her for a period of several months. Since that time, the fistula has tragically reappeared. I met with Zemete two weeks ago. I am eager to have her return to the capital for another operation. But it would be senseless to do so without first getting her husband’s agreement that he will cooperate this time. He claims to be a follower of Jesus, but this is quite impossible in my mind. No man who treats his wife in that manner can be a true Christian. The elders are even now talking with him.
The other woman I want you to meet is Fatima Mohammed. She is a recent convert to Christianity. She lives in the hillside village of Galaye.
[S]he is blind in her left eye and partially blind in her right. I think Fatima is 15 years old, but most villagers have no idea when their birthday is. Last year she lost her parents to starvation. She now lives with her older brother, a simple farmer.
As I think of such suffering, my theologian brain tries to make sense of it all. On one level, all of this is the consequence of the fall. And, since God is absolutely sovereign, He controls the situation completely. That’s true of every person in this world. Nothing takes Him by surprise, including our illnesses and diseases. Whenever I go to Ethiopia I consistently realize the impact of sin in this world. But not only in Africa. There are no boundaries when it comes to heartache and grief. Life hurts!
On another level, however, I know that suffering has a purpose. At the very least, it is God calling me to get involved in the lives of others. He wants me to be like Jesus who left comfort behind to serve the lepers in society. In Ethiopian society, both Zemete and Fatima are absolute NOBODIES. But in God’s eyes they are huge SOMEBODIES. So, while there’s sadness and pain in joining in the sufferings of other people, there is also the joy of knowing that the God of all comfort, the Father of compassion, is right there with us all.
Why I am sharing this with you? I don’t really know. Maybe it’s because I’m feeling the post-trip blues. Maybe it’s because I just need to jangle. I think mostly it’s because I just want you to pray. Pray for your sisters in Christ, Zemete and Fatima. Missions is hugely demanding. The joyous frustration is constant and irrevocable. Personally, I wouldn’t want to live any other way.
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If you would like for me to include your story in this series, please send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
stories: Working out with Bear
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
A friend of mine told this story recently. When he was working out one morning, he noticed that there was only one other person in the fitness center. The other man was large – “a bear of a man”, as my friend described him. So, I will refer to him as “Bear”.
While my friend was working out, Bear walked by him, very close to him as a matter of fact. My friend caught Bear’s eye as he walked by. Later, Bear walked by my friend again, and again they made eye contact. By now, my friend was wondering what was up. The fitness center was rather large, and there was no need for Bear to walk by so close to my friend.
A third time Bear walked close by my friend and made eye contact. This time, my friend said, “Hello”.
Bear stopped and began talking with my friend. At first, it was just small talk. It turns out that the two worked near one another, even though the fitness center was far away from there.
My friend could tell that something was weighing heavily on Bear, and the big man finally told him. “I hit my wife three years ago. Then, recently, I hit her again. Now my children are afraid of me. They cringe when I come near them. My family doesn’t want anything to do with me. I’ve destroyed my life.”
As Bear talked with an attitude of hopelessness and desperation, he began crying. My friend was amazed at this opportunity that God had given him. He gently shared with Bear about the hope he had in Jesus Christ. My friend did not “sugar coat” things – he did not say that following Christ would cause Bear’s family to accept him or smooth over other problems in his life. However, he did tell Bear that Jesus offered hope in a hopeless situation.
Bear was interested, but uncertain. My friend asked if he could meet with Bear for lunch since they worked near one another. He asked us all to pray for him and for Bear as they plan to build their relationships with one another, and hopefully help Bear seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
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If you would like for me to include your story in this series, please send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
stories: Reconciliation and evangelism
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
Guy from “The M Blog” sent me this story. (He has many, many more stories on his blog.)
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For months the church that meets in the house of Manuel had traveled every weekend to the small rural community of Churute about 40-minutes outside of Guayaquil. Their purpose? To plant a church in this roadside town where Manuel owns a piece of property.
After fruitless weeks of door-to-door evangelism and doing everything they had been taught by us missionaries, Manuel was about ready to give up.
But then God stepped in to the situation.
Manuel owns a nice piece of land in Churute. By the carelessness of a neighbor, “Don Carlos”, Manuel’s land was set on fire. Everything was burned to the ground…including his valued Mango trees. The whole community was prepared for a tense confrontation, and possibly violence due to the indifference Don Carlos had showed towards Manuel’s property and his total economic loss.
Manuel was of course quite distraught by what had taken place and was unsure of how to proceed. Get the police involved? Sue the neighbor? Demand restitution? Confront the callous neighbor and give him a good tongue lashing? Before doing anything, Manuel decided to pray for a week seeking God’s mind on how he should proceed.
Once the Lord had given him the answer and peace of mind, Manuel made a trip to Churute. Word quickly spread in the community that the “fireworks were about to begin.”
Upon arrival, Manuel announced that he wanted to see Don Carlos. Neighbors stirred, whispers ensued, and someone ran to get the man who had burned Manuel’s field to ashes.
Don Carlos arrived expecting a confrontation. Before Manuel could say a word, Don Carlos began blurting out excuses and defending himself about what had happened. Manuel lowered his head, listened a while, then chuckled a bit and interrupted him in mid-sentence… “Oh that, don’t worry about it…I realize it was an accident…could have happened to anybody…just be a little more careful next time… What I came to talk to you about today was that we were wanting to enlist your help in trying to get the whole community together to see a film on the life of Christ. We were hoping you might help us with the refreshments. Could you provide some bread and maybe something to drink for the kids so that it might be a good time for all?”
To say the least, Don Carlos was stunned and at a loss for words. All he managed was, “Uhh, of course…count on my help…when did you want to show the picture?”
A week later, Manuel came back to Churute for the planned evening event. Word had spread about what had happened between Manuel and Don Carlos. The entire community turned out to watch the film on the life of Christ. After the movie, Manuel gave a short evangelistic message and an invitation for people to give their hearts to Jesus. EVERY PERSON PRESENT stood to their feet, raising their hands towards heaven, praying aloud–including Don Carlos!!!
The long prayed-for church was born that evening in Churute. That evening the Light of the World came to Churute. Jesus Christ was glorified as His church was planted in this tiny roadside community. A blip on the map overlooked by the world, but not forgotten by God.
UPDATE: What has happened since then? There are now THREE other churches besides the one in Churute. Manuel is moving forward with his plans to have a church in all the neighboring towns! The last time I saw Don Carlos he was assisting Manuel in a marriage ceremony of two new believers who had been living together out of wedlock. Don Carlos role was to read the assigned Scriptures aloud to the assembled wedding party!
FOR PHOTOS OF MANUEL AND OTHERS MENTIONED ABOVE CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL HERE.
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If you would like for me to include your story in this series, please send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
stories: Tell Your Story
Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been publishing a series of blog posts called “stories“. In this series, I’ve been sharing experiences that people have had serving others in big ways and small ways. Some of these experiences have been my own; some have been the experiences of my friends; some have been the experiences of readers who have sent their stories to me.
The purpose of this series is to provide examples to encourage each of us to follow Jesus by serving those around us – both believers and unbelievers. We see in Scripture that the authors often use their own experiences to encourage their readers to do likewise. Similarly, we are exhorted by the author of Hebrews to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Hopefully, this series has been a method of exhortation toward love and good works for my readers.
Now, I want to give you, my readers, another opportunity to share your stories. The stories can be short or long, big or small, individual actions or group actions. Simply email me your story (my email address is aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu) and tell me if you would like to remain anonymous or not, and if you would like me to link to your blog or website.
Some of my readers have told me that they are reluctant to share their own stories because they are afraid that it would be seen as boasting. Here is an opportunity to share your stories in a way that cannot be perceived as boasting (if you do it anonymously) and yet can still encourage other believers to follow Jesus Christ in serving others.
So, here is your opportunity. Think about what God has done through your to serve others. Consider the people who may read your story and be exhorted to serve likewise. Then, if you feel comfortable, send me your story, and I’ll publish it here.
This type of “story” reinforces that teaching is by example as much as by words, and the importance of “doing” not just “talking” or “studying” or “thinking”.
stories: Prison Ministry Story
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
I asked one of my friends to share how God is using him to serve in a prison. This is his story:
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I work in a prison, although my platform for being there is a little unique. I am a contractor for the prison through a local community college’s prison education department. Inmates at certain correctional facilities throughout the nation can earn an Associates degree while in prison. My position with the college is Instructor of Religion and I currently teach Old Testament and World Religions. I must say I came into this position by, what seems to me, divine providence. I had no desire or plans whatsoever to spend time ministering to inmates. Yet last summer I found myself right in the middle of another world that was right in front of me all along, the sub-culture of “corrections.â€
A recent Pew report shows that more than 1 in 100 Americans are incarcerated. This comes out to at least 1% of the United States’ population being in prison (the highest number of inmates in the world, more than China and Russia combined). Yet, despite such an obvious segment of the population behind bars, I had no conception of that reality outside of the occasional documentary on the History Channel. And before I knew it I was standing before a classroom full of student-inmates who were ready to learn the Old Testament. The strangeness of the atmosphere almost immediately faded away and I quickly fell in love with this new and surprising opportunity. And I learned quickly that prison is a place of suffering.
What follows are just a few images from the lives of a few of my students. MJ was shot in the head when he was a boy and unexpectedly survived. He claims that an angel came to him in the hospital and saved his life; this encourages his belief in God today. He hopes to provide for his wife and pre-school daughter when he is released in the next few years. Mike told me he began using drugs when he was 7 years old (his parents kept marijuana around the house). After he was arrested for dealing (at 16) he turned to heavy using. He was using cocaine and heroine when he was arrested again at age 19. He says that prison saved his life; he would like to assist in drug rehab programs for youth in the future.
One student told me of his time at the US Penitentiary in Atlanta, a notoriously violent maximum security facility, when he would call his wife crying every night, just trying to survive. He witnessed another inmate’s throat cut in front of him and multiple beatings, an all too common reality in such maximum security facilities. William is finishing up a 20-year sentence for a drug charge when he was 23. He is now 43 heading back to a world that is now foreign to him. Another student, Jamal, has not seen his son in three years; he and his wife are in the process of divorce. Todd is at the beginning of a 30-year sentence and has recently been diagnosed with terminal diabetes. The doctor estimated he has 5 years to live, which more than likely means he will die in prison.
I could go on with stories of pain and suffering from behind the walls of prisons, from society’s forgotten citizens. The amazing thing about prison is that these stories are the norm. Each individual inmate has a story of suffering.
Apparently prisons were important to Jesus and he says that they should be important to us. According to Matt. 25.35-40, Jesus taught,
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
What we learn from Jesus is that serving the lowest of society is serving Christ. The poor that we are called to love include those who find themselves behind the bars of prisons. Thus, the result should be, I believe, that each inmate is the responsibility of society (especially the community of Christ), not simply a liability. Further, this leads me to believe in restorative justice as opposed to strictly retributive justice where only vengeance is sought through punishment. According to Christ, prisons are a place to serve. We have an opportunity to work for restoration instead of simply punishment.
Yet this really cannot happen outside of relationships. The nature of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25 shows clearly that relationships are at the heart of all acts of love and compassion. Every example of service he gives involves one person serving another, which makes it clear that restoration cannot take place outside of community. There are scores of prison “ministries†out there but I have found that only few do a good job of building real relationships with inmates. It is easy to enter the prison every so often and deliver a “powerful†sermon but it is quite another to just be there with the inmates and know them and understand their world and their suffering. These relationships are invaluable and the potential for restoration is so much greater.
So what if our perspective on inmates is informed by a vision of restoration and compassion instead of anger or revenge? In short, what if we view guilty inmates as Christ does? When we see human faces made in God’s image as opposed to seeing a person simply by their crime we will begin to see the beautiful power of the gospel to make all things new. Jesus gave a transforming vision in John 13.34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Our love must not be dependent upon what we receive in return or the worthiness of the other; it must be rooted in the love of Christ shown to us. Therefore, let us love one another as Christ has loved us, especially our neighbors in prison who so deeply need it.
stories: Gospel and community and pizza
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
A friend of mine works in a local Italian restaurants while he’s finishing college. He hopes to eventually open his own restaurant (see my post “Pastor of a Restaurant?“). While he makes pizzas at this restaurant to earn money, he doesn’t see his occupation as being separate from his life as a follower of Christ.
In fact, he’s introduced me to several co-workers with whom he’s talked about the gospel and community in Christ. He often invited his co-workers – believers and unbelievers – to his apartment. Since many of his co-workers are high school age, he spends alot of time playing video games with them.
He spent alot of time with one young man in particular. They would work together and play video games together. They would talk about Scripture, and Jesus, and church, and many other “spiritual” topics as part of their normal conversation. My friend introduced this young man to many people in the church, letting the community of Christ surround him with love and acceptance and encouragement. I wish I could say that this young man is now follow Christ, but I can’t. In fact, he recently moved to another state.
This young man lived near two men – he called them his “uncles” – they were homosexual. He introduced my friend to them. Last week, my friend found out that one of these “uncles” committed suicide, and the other one as AIDS.
My friend told the church about this situation Sunday. We prayed for them all, and then my friend went to visit the “uncle” with AIDS. Again, I wish I could say that this man decided to follow Christ, but he did not. But, my friend did reach out to him in spite of the stigma associated with his lifestyle and disease.
My friend is a constant reminder to me that living a missional life is not about whether or not people decide to follow Jesus. We cannot force people to believe and to become disciples. However, we can demonstrate the love of God to people. We can share the gospel and the community with them. We can love them, exhort them, encourage them, and spend time with them.
My friend is also a constant reminder not to separate my life into categories. Every aspect of life must be lived for Christ – whether I am teaching the church, or making pizzas. Every moment is a moment to speak or demonstrate the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ.
stories: Raking leaves as the church
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
One Sunday last November, we met with the church like we normally do on Sunday mornings. Someone led us in singing some songs. Someone read a chapter from the Bible. Someone taught. Several people shared exhortations. This happens every week, and God often uses this weekly meeting to encourage, convict, rebuke, admonish, teach, train, comfort me – and hopefully others.
We also shared the Lord’s Supper that day. After our meeting we set out some tables and put some chairs around them. Someone talked about the significance of the bread and the cup as we took the elements. Then, we ate lunch together. We eat together every week, and specifically share the bread and the cup about once per month.
But, after our church meeting and after eating lunch together, we did something different. We had already been meeting together for just over four hours. But, the most exciting part of our church meeting was just about to begin.
Several of us changed clothes, and drove about a mile to a nearby government assisted housing project to rake leaves. As my regular readers know, my family and some other friends spend time in this neighborhood every Saturday. When Margaret (my wife) found out that no one raked leaves for this housing development, she asked if we could all go over on Sunday afternoon and rake leaves for them. Many of the residents are elderly, or in poor health, or single moms.
So, for a little over two hours – until it got dark – we raked leaves for the people that we knew in the neighborhood and for a few neighbors that we do not know… yet. We were able to talk to many of the neighbors while we were raking. We even sang “Amazing Grace” with one of the elderly ladies. Some of the children who lived in the neighborhood asked if they could help rake leaves. We also enjoyed piling up the leaves so the youngest children could jump in the piles!
At one point, a man who lives across the road from this government assisted housing development walked up. I met him, and he introduced himself. He asked if we were “a church group”. I explained that we were part of a church, and that we were raking leaves to help out some of our friends who live in this neighborhood.
He told me that he “goes to church”. He told me the name of the church. I know this church and many of the leaders. I’ve asked those leaders if they would like to do a service project together with us so that we could show the unity of Christ and the love of Christ together. They said that they would get back to me about it. I’m sure that they’ll get back to me one day.
Anyway, this man said that he was glad that we were doing something to help “those people”. He said that he often thought about doing something to help them, but he never seemed to have time. I told him that we were in the neighborhood every Saturday morning and that he was always welcomed to join us. He said, “ok” and went back into his house. How I wish he had come back with a rake to help us. But, he didn’t.
By the way, we ended up raking leaves for six different housing units (nine families).
While our group was raking leaves, another group from the church was also serving someone. One of our friends has a coworker who was trying to move out of her boyfriend’s house because she decided she was in a bad situation. My friend asked the church for help during our church meeting, and at least eight people helped this young lady move. Of those eight people, only one of them knew this young lady.
It is so exciting to be part of a church that actually serves people! And, we don’t just serve people that we know, or people who are part of the church, or people who can serve us back. We serve people who we have never seen before and who we may never see again. But, we serve people because we love them. And, we love people because God first loved us.
(If you would like to see some pictures of us raking leaves, I’ve posted some on our family blog in a post called “Raking Leaves With Friends For Friends“.)
stories: Missional without the label
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
In the fall of 2007, some good friends of ours decided to start spending time in a local nursing home. This wasn’t a “church program” or a “ministry”, but a desire on their part to spend time with “the least” in order to demonstrate God’s love. They talked to the administration at the nursing home, completed the forms and classes and tests necessary to spend time with the residents, and started going to the nursing home one morning each week. They all went – the husband, wife, and their children, even their 3 year old.
They invited me to go with them, and I wanted to go. But, I couldn’t go because of scheduling – work, teaching, and school scheduling. However, last summer, when I was only working, I was able to adjust my work schedule to spend time with them in the nursing home.
I arrived at the same time my friends arrived, and I walked into a common room with them. There were already fifteen or so residents sitting in a circle – some in wheelchairs, some in chairs, some on sofas – waiting for them to arrive. My friends started greeting the residents, and I could tell right away that this was more than a “program” to them. They genuinely love these elderly men and women. Some of the residents greeted them with smiles and hugs and words expressing their gratitude for coming. Other residents nodded or moaned, but were unable to communicate more than that. Some residents seemed completely unresponsive. But, my friends made their way around to each person, holding their hand, speaking a kind word to them, showing them the love of Christ, even if the person could not respond.
Eventually, a few of my friends headed down the halls of the nursing home to the rooms of some of the residents that they knew well. A few minutes later they returned walking with or pushing someone who had forgotten that they were coming, or had been unable to come on their own. Soon, there were twenty or more residents chatting with my friends.
My friend reminded the residents that they had been reading through the Gospel of Matthew together. He opened his Bible and, he and his children started reading from chapter 25 – each one taking turns. They read two chapters, not just a few verses. I knew that some of the residents could not hear what was being read. I knew that some of the residents could hear but could not process or remember what was being read. But, they knew that my friends were there because they cared for them deeply.
Call it coincidence – or call it divine providence – but the chapters that my friends read that morning included this passage:
Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:32-40 ESV)
I couldn’t help but noticed that I was seeing this passage lived out in front of me at that very moment. My friends were loving “the least” – people who could not return their love except in a touch or a hug or a kind word, if that. But, my friends love them any. They were not looking for a response from this sweet men and women. My friends were the ones responding – they were responding to the awesome grace and love and mercy and forgiveness that God had poured out on them.
After they read two chapters from the Gospel of Matthew, my friends asked the men and women if they would like to sing. Several of them called out the names of popular hymns and we all sang. After we sang, my friends once again made their way around to each person, greeting them again and speaking to them individually.
My friends do not read my blog. They probably do not know about the term “missional”. They probably do not know about the discussion that surrounds the meaning of the word “missional” today. But, they don’t care. They do not lavish their love on these precious people so that they can claim the label “missional”. Instead, they love because they were first loved. They love because God’s Spirit is producing love within them.
stories: I needed to talk to you
This post is part of my “stories” series. In this series, I share stories of how people live their lives in response to the gospel and as a demonstration of God’s love in order to teach us and to provide an example to provoke us to love and good works. (See “stories: A New Series” for more information about this series.)
I published part of this story a few months ago (see “I needed to talk to you“), but I’ve added some updated information about Sheila’s story.
Our family travelled from North Carolina to Alabama and Florida for a few weeks around Christmas. While our family was still in Alabama, I got a phone call from “Sheila”. She is one of the residents of the government assisted housing development (see “stories: The Neighborhood“) where we’ve been spending time since last summer. (see “stories: I thought she was rude” for the first part of our story with “Sheila”.)
She was very upset, and asked if Margaret and I could come over to talk to her. I explained that we were out of town, and I asked if she wanted to wait until we returned home, if she wanted me to find someone else for her to talk to (someone that she was acquainted with), or if she wanted to talk on the phone. She asked if we could talk on the phone.
Apparently, there had been some type of incident in which Sheila felt she was wrongly accused of something. Because of that accusation, she and her three children might have to move out of the housing development. This would be very difficult for her family because they can’t afford to live anywhere else.
Primarily, she said, “I just wanted to talk to you and Margaret. I needed to get this off of my chest, and I didn’t know anyone else that I could talk to about it.”
For the first time since we’ve known her, Sheila began talking about her faith. She talked about some of the struggles she’s had in life. She said that she didn’t understand why her life was going wrong while people who were violent or did drugs seemed to have a good life.
When we first met Sheila, she seemed cold and distant. But, through the time we’ve spent with her, we’ve developed a relationship that seemed impossible at the beginning of last summer. Now, when she needed to talk to someone, she thought of us. How amazing!
A few weeks ago, because of the incident that Sheila called us about, she and her family were forced to move out of the housing project. They decided to move down to Raleigh to live with her mother for a while until Sheila could afford to rent a place of their own. I contacted some of our friends, and several of us helped her move some of their belongings to a storage unit.
As we were packing her furniture and clothing into one of my friend’s trucks, I noticed that Sheila was always quiet whenever my friends were around. But, when it was just Margaret or me, she perked up and talked a little. During the last trip to the storage unit, Margaret and Sheila stayed at her home by themselves. While we were unpacking her belongings, Sheila began unpacking many of her troubles and struggles and questions with Margaret. She opened up even more about her life, her failed marriage, her broken relationship with her mother, and many, many more things.
We continue to stay in touch with Sheila. She still has to deal with the ramifications of the incident that I mentioned earlier. Of course, we don’t know if she was falsely accused or not. However, we plan to continue to walk with her through this ordeal.
Once again, God has confirmed to me that my responsibility is to love people in his name, and allow him to give me opportunities to help people in their faith. It is not my responsibility to force things on people, or to manipulate conversations and relationships in order to disciple people. I must let God lead them to himself.
So, we’ve loved Sheila and her family. We’ve helped them through various situations. We’ve served them in different ways. In every case, we’ve let them know that the reason that we love them is because God loves us and he loves them.
Please pray for Sheila and her family. Pray that even if this situation is not resolved the way she hopes, that she would learn to trust God through all circumstances. Also, please pray that whatever happens, she would allow God to reveal himself to her however he desires.
Finally, as Paul asked, please pray for me and my family, “that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.”