The Universe Next Door

Some of you who are Messiah alums may recognize the title of this episode from a book we had to read for that great gen ed class "World Snooze" (a.k.a. World Views). With that said, it is appropriate for my week thus far as I began working at a women's winter shelter in the city. I sought this position with the expectation of being challenged to step out of my "middle-class" world and be exposed to the uncomfortable reality of the people among us that can so easily be overlooked. And what I found didn't disappoint my expectations. There were 14 women at the shelter that night, each one with a story that is difficult for me even to imagine. How many of us could imagine what it would be like to live without our computers ... much less imagine the desperation of having to resort to living in an emergency shelter because we have no place else to call home?

One of the things that surprised me the most was that in the midst of doing my job, I could still find myself nearly unaffected by all of the sad situations that surrounded me. I suppose part of that stems from the fact that I was new to the job and at times it was all I could do to make sure that we were adhering to the prescribed schedule. Yet in the midst of everything, I had a few moments to sit and talk with some of the ladies. I heard more true-life accounts of the what it means to live out the gospel from one lady than I had probably heard in the last two months combined. To hear from a woman who has next to nothing telling of her desire to live a life that reflects the love of Jesus Christ to everyone she meets was truly a blessing to me. And it occurred to me that one of the greatest things that inhibits our Christian witness is the possessions we own. How hard is it for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

In this coming holiday season, especially with the economy hitting charities hard, won't you join me in spending some time helping those who are less fortunate. It's easy for many of us to simply write a check and believe that we have done our part. But I want to challenge everyone reading this - this year, give something more valuable than your money - give of your time and of your life. The early church thrived in the midst of persecution - and the ministry those Christians undertook was looking after those people that society had deemed worthless. Somewhere we've abandoned that calling, to care for the poor, the orphan, the widow - and we've turned it over to the government. Let's join together and take back what never should have let go ... I believe in doing so we can begin to truly transform our culture, from the bottom (in the eyes of the world) up.