Time to get messy

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)

Last Sunday night I was walking home from dinner on the street in the picture above and silently praying that God would give me His eyes and heart. About 300 meters down the road I was walking in an underground subway walkway and saw a frantic young couple with a handwritten sign “Had an accident and have no money to get to airport”.  I walked past.  And then I turned around.  I opened my wallet and approached them with money in my hand.  The couple couldn’t speak English but appeared relieved and ecstatic and thankful at the same time. It looked to me like a young European couple on vacation to Hong Kong.  I smiled and quickly left.

I continued my walk back to the apartment and was thinking about what just happened. I felt that it was more than coincidence that their need came into my line of sight 5 minutes after I prayed.  I also felt that God in this instance was pleased I stopped and acted.  Many times in the past I hadn’t…and yet as I continued my walk back I felt that God was additionally nudging me to go further next time.  To connect.  To introduce myself.  To make myself available to understand the need.  To offer my time.  To encourage.   Frankly, the stuff that takes me out of my comfort zone.  The reality is that dispensing money or writing a check for me is easier than getting up front and personal, which can get messy.  It is time to take another step.  It is time to get messy.

Over a year ago I was at Compassion International headquarters in Colorado Springs. Compassion was describing their sponsorship model which allows sponsors to give money and to invest in an on-going relationship with a child by writing letters.  Compassion emphasized that the letter writing was as important (if not more) than the money contributions.  Money certainly helps the kid’s physical needs.  But the letters offered an opportunity to develop a relationship.  The letters were often a catalyst for providing hope.  And hope was a critical ingredient in breaking the cycle of poverty.  Providing money and writing letters.  Guess which piece I have struggled with?  Yes.  I was convicted.  Over the last year I have tried to become more disciplined in writing our sponsored kiddos myself.  Aster, our 13 year sponsored child from Ethiopia who wants to be a teacher, recently wrote, “I believe I will do something great in my life”.  Yes, you will Aster.

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to the need in the subway station. So many times I missed the need.  This was all You.  Thank you for choosing me to help here.  Please allow these opportunities to continue. Next time help me to take another step though.  Help me to go beyond only meeting a financial need.  But to become more personal.  To be available to listen or to share your good news.  To be willing to get messy.  Also, please give Aster hope for an amazing future.

What if God multiplied our one act of kindness and initiated a spiritual spark that later became a raging fire? What if Aster becomes a laser of light in her community and country?

What if the Christian church became as available to develop relationships with the hurting as some are with offering exclusive financial assistance (e.g. me)?