I had a unique opportunity yesterday to go with my wife, Ruby, and visit a local city youth day camp. I entered the place a little nervous and feeling out of place, but I left with the realization that I had made a connection with the kids.
I'm wondering if most of the inner city youth aren't a bit misrepresented and misunderstood. As Ruby and I drove away I couldn't help but feel what these kids needed was someone to believe in them...someone to sow into their lives...someone to treat them like real people with a purpose and sense of worth. I wanted to be a part of this...I wanted to be a part of making this happen for them.
I'm that type of person. I see a need and I automatically want to try and meet it, even though it isn't all the time possible. Even if I did try I would burn myself out trying to meet all the needs I see. The frequent question I keep asking myself is "what area am I supposed to focus on? Where does God want me to focus my energies in the hurt of the world?" I don't know yet.
I really feel I must be involved in the larger society beyond the church - seeing the needs present there and meeting them with the practicality and hope of the gospel. I feel I need to do this beyond the pastoral role, although this involvement nonetheless impacts that role. I've got a burden to reach people and to be a part of reconciling people to God, but how that plays out yet I'm not sure.
The following verses from Paul encapsulate my heart for myself and the followers of Jesus (the Church) as a whole:
"And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
