Rockin’ our World

What an absolutely amazing day on a downtown corner today. Unbelievably unseasonal weather (always have to give the weather), tons of people on both sides of the tables and just a great day. Started the day off with a great service at our church. Ended the afternoon with a great service to the Lord. World rockin’ stuff. It seems so simple too. We sort some clothing into various containers, maybe gather some hygiene items, throw a great meal together, load it all up and head to a corner in downtown Omaha. Takes a little preparation, but after doing it for a few years now, it seems so easy. And yet I never want to lose sight of why we go and what it means. It’s such an amazing opportunity to rock a little for God. We see lots of the same people week after week, month after month and year after year. And as much as it pains me to see some of these same people in the same situations time after time, it’s a blessed opportunity to share. To do a little world rockin’. And believe me when I say world rockin’, I mean Him rocking my world. I sat in a church service this morning and listened to a message about what it is that God might have in store for each of us. And I always wonder if we are on the right track. If what we do day to day, week to week, month to month is what he had or has in mind for our family? Are we doing enough to serve our Maker and to bring him the honor He so richly deserves? I have no idea, but we’ll keep trying. That I know.

Had lots of great help today. Eagle Heights Church came. Southridge Church was represented mightily. It’s so cool to see the opportunity to serve so fully grasped by these folks! Amazing opportunity for people to put their faith into real action. There are so many people in need of so many things. And I’m talking about the people on the inside. People within the local church. There are so many opportunities to get out and serve in so many tangible ways. So many. And so few people take advantage of those real opportunities. I mean, I know it might mean giving up a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, but the payoff can be so huge, I can’t even count how many times I’ve missed out on great times like this because I’ve been too caught up in serving my own needs. How many wasted opportunities? I’m so thankful for every small chance to not look back at missed chances, but instead to be listening for and seeking new ones. This thing we do monthly is a chance for new encounters with old friends and new ones each time. And a chance to serve God in such a tangible way. Be it providing a great meal, a pair of shoes, a clean shirt, or whatever. More importantly, it’s a chance to serve a God who is so unbelievably forgiving and accepting of each and every one of us. No matter how broken and busted we may think we are, He can use us for something. I’ve struggled for months with things that make me sometimes think that I’m in no way worthy of some of the gifts I’ve received, yet He tells me otherwise. He can use us no matter where we are in life. He can use us to share a message of hope in the hopelessness, strength where there is weakness and love when we feel unloved. It doesn’t mean a person has to show up on a downtown street corner and serve meals and things to homeless and near homeless folks. What it does mean is that we should be doing something. Something to honor the undeserved grace that’s been offered to us. Just do something.

One thing I’d share from today is a story I heard from a young couple. We’ve known this young fellow for a few years now. He and his young wife lost a baby last week. I have no idea what that must feel like. Can’t even imagine. And I had no real words of wisdom. I’m just not that smart. Those are always tough situations for me. Because, mostly words are pretty useless in those times. Learned that a long time ago. Sometimes we just need to listen. And now they are faced with the reality of dealing with a baby that was born prematurely at 23 weeks and watching it die before their eyes. Now they must deal with what comes next. Funeral arrangements, grieving, dealing with the emotional baggage that surely comes with these types of things. He was almost speechless when we first began talking about it. As the conversation progressed, he opened up more. But I cannot imagine what he must be feeling. And if I understood them correctly, the doctor had a chance to call the NICU and have them intercede. But he chose not to. Was it because they had no insurance? No means to pay the bill, so to speak? Who knows? I pray that was not the case. I sincerely hope that nothing could have been done. And I felt that all I could offer was that maybe this was a time for this young fellow to seek God and seek His wisdom in this terribly painful time. I just can’t imagine…

Time to get ready for next month. I pray that God will continue to rock my world. Rock our world. It’s so amazing to show up there and see the faces of our friends. I don’t always remember everyone’s name. I try, but it’s hard. I think there were probably 150 people or so today. It’s difficult to keep track of everyone and all the issues that they are all facing. But it’s not hard to go. That’s the easy part. And every time I go, my world is rocked a little more. I pray that He’ll continue to use us. And that we never lose sight of the fact, and it is a fact, that we serve and amazing and awesome God. Till next month…and in the meantime, rock a little.

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 1:5-8 (New International Version)

Make a difference…it matters.