Change: to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc. of (something) different form what it is or from what it would be if left alone; to transform of convert; to give and take reciprocally.
Poor: lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.
There are a lot of changes going on in America right now. Things are on the edge and people sense the shift in the air. With all that is going on around us, things are about to change in the MacPherson household–but it has nothing to do with the debt ceiling, lockdown, shutdown or who is being more stubborn in Washington. The change here is how we view our neighbors. No, not the supposed “poor” ones we see and help sometimes in downtown areas, but the people we barely know who live right next door or just down the block.
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Photo © SOAP Ministries
It all started with a video I watched on YouTube this morning. I have no idea how I got there, but God, in His unique style, has a way of making things happen according to His will–especially when He knows that we need a good kick in the pants to jar our way of thinking. In this particular video, the speaker talked about the love that we need to be showing to others around us. Not the fake, quasi-Christian love we show when we are forced into uncomfortable situations like being in the middle of Skid Row in Los Angeles, but a real genuine love that holds others dear to us. Because, as the speaker said (and as Dwight has said many times), ” people will not care about what you have to say to them until they know you care.” The speaker went on to say that her view of people in need was a bit dated, and God showed her that the “poor” were closer to her than she thought. Because of this truth, we will be opening our home more in coming days. It will not be easy feeding people, but you know what? I can’t worry about how that will be done. I simply need to do the inviting and trust God to supply the rest. Remember, Jesus is the same person who supernaturally multiplied all of those fishes and loaves of bread. So I believe He has that providing thing down to a science.
I work in a church where we feed people breakfast and lunch every day. I almost typed out homeless people, but then I realized that this might not be the correct word to describe these people anymore. How do I know these people are homeless? Why would I assume that? Maybe they have homes, but budgets are tight and they don’t have extra money for food. They are people who are hungry, not necessarily living on the streets. See how easy it is to get our perspectives skewed?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The image to the right shows what we would normally consider a poor section of town. But what about the other image? From the outside it looks perfect, but what if this particular home were full of people who were poor in spirit, trapped inside a gilded cage of despair, indebtedness, and materialism? They just may be poorer than the people we feed at church.
God bless,
Rebecca
“Be kind to widows, orphans, fatherless children and strangers. Share whatever you have with them.” Deuteronomy 24:17-21
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
