If there is one thing I’m learning the longer I walk with the Lord, is that I have a lot to learn. Coming into this mission field, I had a lot of preconceived notions about who I was and what I had to offer. God, in His infinite patience has used the wisdom of the Christians already here, those who have joined with me or who supported me, and those I serve, to be my very best teachers and mentors.
I find myself at a loss of words to express all that Christ has done and is doing with these street kids, this community, and even the Christian walk of everyone that touches this ministry. I find myself saying “Come and see! It’s more than a building, more than a place, you can feel the passion and energy that the Holy Spirit brings to God’s work!”
Today, if someone asked me who Jesus was, I would say, “Come and see. Let me show you Jesus with skin on!” I have been asked how we “evangelize the poor here.” I find myself wanting to say, we bring folks like you and me here to learn about the kingdom of God from the poor, and then send them out to tell the rich and powerful there is another way of life being born in the margins.
I have learned that Jesus didn’t seek out the rich and powerful to spread His kingdom for a very good reason. Rather, He joined the bottom, the outcasts and undesirables. Then those in the middle were attracted to His love for people on the margins, and even some of the rich and powerful, too. (We all know that each of us really feels poor and lonely, don’t we?)
Then Christ did what the “trickle down economics” of man could never understand. Jesus invited us all into a journey of downward mobility to become the least. Teaching us that we should be shouting the gospel with our lives, not our rules.
So many “seekers,” whether from the street or the suburban churches we partner with, have not been able to hear the words of Christians because the lives of Christians have been making more noise than sense. It can be so hard to hear a “still small voice” of the Spirit amid the current noise of Christendom.
All I thought I had to offer these kids and families living along East Colfax, was really so much noise, once I really began to listen to God’s plans. Christ didn’t call them, “the least of these,” He call them, “the least of these, my brothers!” So, now I am learning the true meaning of the gospel of “the first shall be the last.”
So here is my challenge for the coming year. I want to bring these “kingdom” lessons to those that are curious or thirsty to know more. I want to meet with you, share a cup of coffee and a story, and let myself be peppered with questions. I want to share with as many as possible, the great things happening here that we can all be a part of for God’s glory.
And I want to challenge all of you! “Come and see! Do not sit idly by and wonder what it means when Christ asks us to have a Servant Heart. Come and see Christ with skin on!”
