Almost two years ago, my life was blessed by a wonderful man. Being in the ministry I often brought my “work” home with me and told him of folks I had been able to help through our benevolence as well as those that I couldn’t help right away. With each story, he would always say, “That makes me sick.” He would almost turn green and actually rub his stomach. I hate to admit it, sometimes Scott’s response to my daily routine would shame me… I actually began to covet Scott’s reaction to the stories I told. I always helped those in need– I was just very matter of fact and business while Scott would be sick for days.
On our honeymoon to the Bahamas, Scott and I were having dinner at an island restaurant when a very sad woman approached us. Her dress barely covered her body. She begged us for money for food. Honestly, I was annoyed–it was our honeymoon! But Scott looked at me as if to ask my permission and then said, “Would you like to join us?” The woman cried and our romantic table for two was set for three. We knew she was in some kind of trouble. She told us her story and then we asked her if she went to church. She said that they made fun of her there. About that time, the police came up to the porch of the restaurant and asked to see my husband inside. I kept wondering if they were going to arrest him thinking we were “hiring” the girl. When he returned, the woman said she had to go and would take her food with her. We told her she could stay and eat with us but she insisted on leaving. Before she left, I prayed with her.
After we ate, Scott and I walked through the marketplace. A couple of times, I saw the woman and each time, I had a wave of nausea come over me. It was a sick that Pepto couldn’t heal.
I realized I had replaced compassion with paperwork and procedure. But here, hundreds of miles from my church, on vacation, I regained my God’s eyes and I saw what He sees. I did not see paperwork or a 30 minute interview. I saw a woman all alone. I saw helplessness. I also realized that while I made sure that the folks I ministered to were never lost in the system of paperwork–sometimes I was.
Community Christian Church where we serve is in the middle of a series called “Unleashed”. As the series has continued, each week, I see the Spirit of the Lord unleashed in bigger and greater ways and honestly sometimes it is uncomfortable. When the Spirit is the wind in our sails we are often driven through choppy muddy waters where our “cultured Christianity” gets dirty and our old ideas of benevolence, fellowship, service, Bible study, and outreach don’t hold water.
Is it hazardous to reach out?–Yes!
Is it hazardous to worship like a disciple?–Yes!
Is it hazardous to break from the safe Scripture of John 3:16 and study Scripture in direct conflict to your current living arrangements, methods of child-rearing, work ethic, or even your way of passing on lavish love?–Yes!
Is it Is it possible you will lose some sleep, time, money, and friendships in the deal?–Yes! Is it worth it?–do it and find out!
When was the last time, you looked past a beggar’s cardboard sign and looked into their eyes? What would happen if you shed the restraints of the Sunday ritual and abandoned yourself to the moving of the Spirit in worship? When was the last time you looked past that unruly teenager and felt convicted to step in and be a mentor? What would happen if you showed up for work on time, pushed yourself to finish your work load, and gave up the office gossip?
Yes it is hazardous– people will think you have lost your mind.
Yes it is hazardous– you risk rejection from the very people you want to help as well as rejection from those you thought supported you and “the cause”. You may even face criticism for your lavish love.
Yes it is hazardous– you will never be able to enter a crowd again without a longing to be Jesus.
Yes it is hazardous… but I don’t think the road to Calvary was pothole free… I don’t think the cross was a picnic… and I don’t think the tomb would have met OSHA standards. Thank God–Jesus didn’t care about hazardous situations when it came to His lavish love for me.
