This is just some rough thoughts in my head. Just throwing some ideas around.
I was at prayer meeting tonight and next week we have a number of people going to Short Term Mission to Jamestown. I never know where Jamestown was until I looked in the map.
My heart sank at the thought of that place. If you like to know more info about Jamestown, please read here.
I am reminded of me going to Ryerson University. I remember one of the corner is call Hooker Harvey because that’s where prostituions hang out. The neighbourhood is filled with drug dealers and suffered one of the worst crime rates in Toronto.
….
By the grace of God, I started to notice little difference between being the hands and feed for Jesus than just volunteering or doing good works. Granted, the latter is a noble cause (at least beat doing nothing!).
Allow me to explain…I would say the first and foremost is humility of oneself. When I shared a hot dog with people in Nathan Philip Square or helped out in Open Doors, I tried as hard as I can to treat those who I am serving as equal. I am reminded I am no better than them b/c of my education or my career or the stuff that I have. God simply blessed me more and as such it is my responsiblity to share (stewardship one??). I feel so easy to look at someone distinctly different than you (social status, ethnicity, age, gender etc.) and throw off an arrogance that I have more or I know more or I am better simply I am more ‘successful‘ in life. This is foremost something I pray to God to humble me down. I asked God to crack and break my hard ego and cold heart.
The focus in serving is not for self gratification. I am not here to get praise. Though I am joyful when I know the work I am doing is joyful in His sight. This means that sometimes things might not go as expected. What if the person I am serving is rude to me? Do I go and rebuke that person? Of course not. Who am I to go rebuke them? Even if I do, it usually a sign of my ego-centric and prideful nature. Only when I let that go, do I consider denying myself, take up my cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34-38). So either scrubbing the toilet (where is rarely seen) or doing mundane task (rarely get praise for). It really ain’t about me. It is about extending God’s Kingdom.
To serve is not simply to use money to resolve a problem. Like buying lots of food for those who are hungry or buy things for those who are homeless. Serving, (I dare to say) is joining those who are oppress and who are suffering. In a way, we serve as Jesus serves. Jesus come to earth, born in a manger, and give up all His throne to dwell among us (in a world full of sin).
I don’t go in with all my fancy gadgets and my material goods. First, this attitude hurts those who we are trying to help (take a look at DeYoung’s blog post on this topic). Second, it only shows me of my own self indulgence and my own materialistic habit. Third, we are to love those who do not have hope and share the love that Jesus gave to us. This has a missional component to it. If money do really serve all the problem, we can simply donate and community will be restored and people will be free. However, it is neither this simple nor viable. Lastly, God extending His Kingdom not with worldly riches. Often Holy Spirit works among the most ‘trying’ times.
The last point which I am becoming ever more intrigue is the idea of sacrifice. For example, I can go for a sandwich run and buy the cheapest bread and meat that is about to expire and feed it to the needy. Yet, I will then go to a buffet and stuff myself. Is that serving? Jesus numerous consider that it is good to give the best to those who cannot get it themselves (Luke 14:15-23). Or better yet, those who don’t deserve it. It is quite a reminder as we don’t deserve the grace that God dwell upon us freely through the blood of His Son. Perhaps another way is to sacrifice the buffet I had and use that money to buy better sandwiches.
When I look at the last point, I asked myself, why am I hoarding all I have for me and nickel and dime for those who need it. Really, where is my heart at? When I ask this question and look at my hands, I feel dirty. I am ashame. I have become the man who see my barn is getting full and ask why not build a bigger one so I can enjoy it (Luke 12:13-21 The parable of the rich fool).
Lastly, and more importantly, we are there to share the Gospel. By living it out (actions and kind deeds [James 2:14-26]) and by words (gotta know the doctrine [1 Peter 3:15-16]). It is only the Gospel that saves. What we do on earth is all but temporary. Everything fades away. As Christian, our treasure lies in heaven (Luke 12:32-34) . If that’s the case, we might as well throw everything (including the temproary, kitchen sink) for it. Everything for the Gospel. One focus.
