I should start by saying that I'm in no way original. I am a mut, comprised of so many different influences, authors, experiences, and friends throughout my life. The rambling below is a convergence of thoughts, dreams, and others' writings and teachings from about the last 12 years of my life. (Three current reads: Gospel in Life by Timothy Keller, The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, and Churches That Make a Difference by Sider, Olson, and Unruh.)
The other day I went to Browns Mills to help a member of FAC. The home I visited was in disrepair, smelled of urine, and is an eyesore on the block. We have been helping the family for over two years now with finances, repairs, children, etc. To say the situation is depressing is obvious. Depressing? Yes. Hopeless? No.
You see, in Jesus there is hope for this life, not just eternity. His kingdom and will are to be grown "on earth as it is in heaven." And it is our responsibility. We have been made ambassadors.
So I look at this little home in Browns Mills with its problems and I want to turn away. I want to simply throw money at the problem and pay the electric bill and not hear from them again until next month. But money is not the hope. Only Jesus is, through you and me church; through community.
It is our responsibility to teach this family how to do the things that you and I do without a thought...take the trash out, clean the gutters, cancel the Direct TV and pay the electric bill instead. And so on.
And this is not an easy road to walk, either. This is a road that will involve getting dirty physcially, growing tired emotionally, and coming to the end of ourselves as we seek to bring another closer to Jesus.
As much as there is an issue with this family's stewardship, we must question ours' as well. What are we doing with what Jesus has given us? We have been given wisdom, wealth, hope, wholeness, jobs, physical well-being, a family, cars, houses, and the list goes on. Are we simply waiting for our heavenly kingdom someday? Or are we growing it here on earth as Jesus prayed and commanded?
If you, your family, or your small group would like to commit to walking with this family, shoot me an email. (jim.entwistle@faconline.org). I can tell you up front it will involve different people from among us going and visiting them once a week, cleaning, taking the trash out, speaking the truth in love, prayer, and probably frustration. We will simply be trying to teach Spiritual truths and practical information as we walk with them. But we're starting with a crawl!
And to be honest, I don't know how it will all work out. I simply know I cannot ignore the problem anymore and hope Jesus fixes it. It's my responsibility. He told me to.
