Bridging the Gap

"The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood..." John 1:14 (The Message)

I'm not sure that any other verse could better sum up what has motivated Grant and I to move to a slum in India.  Jesus left His throne in heaven, and took up a simple life of carpentry, became friends with 12 simpletons, and then showed us all the Father.

I've been reflecting a lot on poverty (whether here in America or India) and its roots and its cures.  I've read so much in the last couple years about these issues and how many folks have worked to relieve or end poverty in their communities.  But, one thing that keeps coming back to me is RELATIONSHIP.

So many of us give contributions to the poor and ministries to the poor and that is so necessary, and I in no way want to discourage that giving.  Please give monetarily, as much as possible, to the poor and ministries to the poor.  But, I'd like to encourage you to take another step along with your giving.

I'm convinced that poverty cannot cease where there is no relationship.  I believe much of poverty (except that caused by catastrophe) exists because of lack of relationship - with Christ and with people who love and care.  People who live in poverty lack dignity, hope, and desire.  They don't have jobs because they don't believe in themselves, they don't know how to put a resume together, they don't know where to go to find listings, etc.  What would happen if more ordinary Jesus-followers would befriend, face to face, a person in need, listen to their story, restore their dignity, and help them get on their feet?

Now, I know that this is risky...there is always that chance that the person in need will reject your help, abuse your time and efforts, and continue to make wrong or hurtful choices.  In these kinds of situations I tend to throw up my hands and give up and say what's the use.  But, then God gently reminds me that this is how I am so often with Him.  And that His compassions are new EVERY morning.  Who am I to give up on a person in need, when I myself am a person in need or God's grace and mercy every new day?  It comes back again to my RELATIONSHIP with God.  It is God's nurturing in my life, His love, the fellowship of His Body that keeps going.  It's the lack of those things that keep people in a cycle of poverty and need.

In Matthew 25, in the story of the sheep and the goats, Jesus speaks quite clearly about how things will go down in the final judgment.  The sheep, those welcomed into Christ's Kingdom, are marked by their RELATIONSHIP to those in need.  "YOU gave me food...YOU gave me drink...YOU welcomed me...YOU clothed me...YOU visited me...YOU came to me."  It's a personal taking of time to be with and minister to those in need, face to face.

There are so many ways that this could play out in your life.  I don't know your circumstances or where you live, I only know that Jesus is asking us to be in relationship with the needy.  So, I just want to challenge you, be a friend to someone in need.  Be taken advantage of in the name of serving Christ and bringing hope to a strange in need.  Take a risk on someone that will never be able to repay you or give you the appreciation you deserve.  It's what Christ has done for us.  Let's do it for others.