lessons from the lovable unloveable
Sorry I haven't been blogging lately....life has been kinda crazy! But I've been thinking about lots of things, so I can't wait to dig in and start blogging!
So I got a new job with Teen Challenge as an administrative assistant and I started last week. It's been great so far, I am really enjoying it. I acutally love going to work- how awesome is that!! It is such a blessing, the hours are perfect, and the job is totally up my alley. I am super excited about the ministry that goes on there...its so cool hearing how God is working in the lives of the men that are a part of the program. It feels so amazing to be part of something that is life changing for people - its such an honor. I get to go to these weekly chapels and one of the chapels last week was about celebrating the men who have graduated from part 1 of the program and are now going into the training part of the program. I was so totally touched by their stories, of where they have come from, and the struggles they have overcome. Their lives have done a complete 180. They are so passionate about their relationship with Jesus, and everytime I hear them tell their story or watch them worship I can't help but be deeply touched.
As I was thinking about this, it occurred to me that maybe this is what God had in mind. That perhaps God has intended us to be in relationship with those who are struggling and desperate. Infact, I believe that it is an integral part of being a follower of Christ that we love & serve those who have no hope and who are struggling. But, I guess one thing I am realizing lately is that it may not be all for their benefit, but that maybe we have something to learn.
Personally, I have found that my relationship with God is much stronger and more real to me when I am in relationship with those who have no hope and who have much less than I. Not that I am trying to make this about myself, I'm not, but when my eyes are opened and I am able to see those who have messed up, who have hit rock bottom, or are completely desperate come to know God, I realize how great God's grace really is. And when I see those who have less than I, who struggle, are broken and in need, that's when I truly realize how deep God's love is.
When I see people who, to our world seem "unlovable" show love, and know that God loves them more than anything....I come to tears with the beauty & truth of it. How can I not love a God who loves someone like that. And how can I not be amazed at his grace, when I see a man who has committed crimes, messed up time and time again, and perhaps seen as a horrible person to most, come to know the forgivness & acceptance of Jesus.
I think that I cannot truly understand & know God without being in relationship with those who are poor, who struggle and have no hope. Its when I see their raw and real need, that I realize my own, and become much more understanding of who God is and the fullness of what he offers to us when we seek a relationship with him. It also empowers me to love them, and extend grace & acceptance to them that much more! So why do we think there is something wrong with being surrounded by need? Why do we avoid it like the plague? When I am not in that context, I am not as aware of the fullness of God's character. I don't think we can go ahead and follow Christ and know of who he truly is without being in relationship with those in need. Following Christ outside of this context just doesn't make any sense to me. It's not just about giving to those in need so that we can say we did our part...It's a two way street, and we need to be aware and in relationship with those on the other side of the street, before we make any decisions, otherwise we may veer off course. Therefore, I think we have to always be in the midst of need. And if not, I think that there is something missing from our relationship with God, and we are truly not following Christ to where he would have us be. We should be searching out this need, so that we can show His love & grace, and in turn, know his love & grace.
So I got a new job with Teen Challenge as an administrative assistant and I started last week. It's been great so far, I am really enjoying it. I acutally love going to work- how awesome is that!! It is such a blessing, the hours are perfect, and the job is totally up my alley. I am super excited about the ministry that goes on there...its so cool hearing how God is working in the lives of the men that are a part of the program. It feels so amazing to be part of something that is life changing for people - its such an honor. I get to go to these weekly chapels and one of the chapels last week was about celebrating the men who have graduated from part 1 of the program and are now going into the training part of the program. I was so totally touched by their stories, of where they have come from, and the struggles they have overcome. Their lives have done a complete 180. They are so passionate about their relationship with Jesus, and everytime I hear them tell their story or watch them worship I can't help but be deeply touched.
As I was thinking about this, it occurred to me that maybe this is what God had in mind. That perhaps God has intended us to be in relationship with those who are struggling and desperate. Infact, I believe that it is an integral part of being a follower of Christ that we love & serve those who have no hope and who are struggling. But, I guess one thing I am realizing lately is that it may not be all for their benefit, but that maybe we have something to learn.
Personally, I have found that my relationship with God is much stronger and more real to me when I am in relationship with those who have no hope and who have much less than I. Not that I am trying to make this about myself, I'm not, but when my eyes are opened and I am able to see those who have messed up, who have hit rock bottom, or are completely desperate come to know God, I realize how great God's grace really is. And when I see those who have less than I, who struggle, are broken and in need, that's when I truly realize how deep God's love is.
When I see people who, to our world seem "unlovable" show love, and know that God loves them more than anything....I come to tears with the beauty & truth of it. How can I not love a God who loves someone like that. And how can I not be amazed at his grace, when I see a man who has committed crimes, messed up time and time again, and perhaps seen as a horrible person to most, come to know the forgivness & acceptance of Jesus.
I think that I cannot truly understand & know God without being in relationship with those who are poor, who struggle and have no hope. Its when I see their raw and real need, that I realize my own, and become much more understanding of who God is and the fullness of what he offers to us when we seek a relationship with him. It also empowers me to love them, and extend grace & acceptance to them that much more! So why do we think there is something wrong with being surrounded by need? Why do we avoid it like the plague? When I am not in that context, I am not as aware of the fullness of God's character. I don't think we can go ahead and follow Christ and know of who he truly is without being in relationship with those in need. Following Christ outside of this context just doesn't make any sense to me. It's not just about giving to those in need so that we can say we did our part...It's a two way street, and we need to be aware and in relationship with those on the other side of the street, before we make any decisions, otherwise we may veer off course. Therefore, I think we have to always be in the midst of need. And if not, I think that there is something missing from our relationship with God, and we are truly not following Christ to where he would have us be. We should be searching out this need, so that we can show His love & grace, and in turn, know his love & grace.
posted by Steph Prendergast | 7:31 PM
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