“We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jason knows construction. So when Katrina demolished New Orleans and he heard about contractors scamming people for insurance money it seemed only right to get involved. Twelve trips later he loves NOLA and her strong spirit of community.
God used those trips, as well as the onslaught of support we received during our hospital experience, to plant a new desire in our hearts. Namely an urge to turn outward. Shifting from the familiar (the life group and church friends who had become our second family) to the less familiar (from anti-trafficking efforts and service to our city’s poor and under-served to seemingly simple things like getting to know our neighbors).
As this desire became more pronounced we began to wonder if God was preparing our hearts to move away from the suburbs. After all, it seemed more realistic to live ‘facing out’ in an urban area.
So, for two years we prayed about moving. And for two years we heard nothing.
At the end of that time (mid 2013) Jason and I separately felt God encourage us to stop focusing on relocating to an urban area and instead open our eyes to the needs in our own backyard.
He drew our attention to a boy who came to school with bruises. Kids living with their grandparents while their parents battled crippling addictions. A cashier who said she would rather work than spend Christmas alone. And a little girl who smiled at an imaginary friend with skin the color of hers while she sat in a room of kids much paler.
As our eyes learned to focus on the needs tucked within our pretty, little neighborhood we remembered our friend Courtney’s favorite verse – Micah 6:8, ‘do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.’
And our ears became attuned to a new march – see a need, meet a need, see a need, meet a need.
It’s only been eighteen months but this cadence has already led us on a wild ride – equal parts amazing and uncomfortable. We sometimes feel like a tube of toothpaste being slowly squeezed past our comfort zone.
On occasion we wish we could reverse time to the comforting familiar of our old life group and friends. [Honestly, those moments have been harder for me because I’ve always longed to be close with everyone I know – wanting to be included in everything and include everyone else in everything]
But I see his gentle hand creating distance so we can follow the cadence; thankfully this gentle hand also delivers deep peace.
And, like Cornelius in Acts 10:4, we can only hope that our acts rise up like a fragrant offering. Not because we’re trying to be good. We’re not. We seek something much deeper.
Our meager acts of service are an offering of love to the one Christmas carols were written about. The One born to die; to lay down his life as the greatest act of love.
This time of year the cadence sounds a lot like O Holy Night:
Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Can you hear it? How will you respond?
– Laura
Beautifully written. Thank you, Laura.
What a blessing to hear two followers of Christ walking in obedience. To be so transparent with your testimony of hearing God’s will in your life! Extending Christlike attributes to your neighbors is a blessing to those who read your story. Thanks for sharing Laura