I had to wait a few days before I could write this post. I had to let things settle in for me. Sometimes when you go away to a place you build up the emotional experience inside so much that you think it was the place that held the intrigue when really it was just your own chemicals firing off in a certain way.
Jump.
When I was in middle school and going into grade school I believe the lord really put a calling on my heart to love and care for the poor and homeless. He just did. Theres really nothing else I can say but that. And if you ask people that knew me then they could probably tell you that when it came to ministry options, thats where my vote went every time. And it got really serious going into high school, and I started doing art projects centered around the rejected places in society and essays on social justice and homelessness in America. I read books about those living in poverty and loved things like Relevant magazine because they put a big emphasis on those social justice issues.
Thats not me being great. Thats straight Holy Spirit, God's grace, Jesus' example.
But I don't play instruments and I'm too shy to sing and I'm not gifted in athletics and I don't love to talk in front of people and so my preferred way to serve has always been giving. If I have it and you need it, then I want you to have it instead. Thats kinda all I got anyway.
So while talking with a woman we met up with in Salem who basically turned out to be bizarro Kayla, just a few years older, and also married with a baby (nice to see thats where my life is headed though) her, and my friend Andrea and I had a long talk over lunch about ministry within the church and what that looks like and what it should look like and how originally the whole reason behind ministering to the church body was so that the church could then in turn go out and minister to those who were in need of it. And how thats a far cry from some of these mega-churches that get built so those within the walls can become increasingly more comfortable so that they can start new programs for themselves etc. etc. all the while not doing a whole lot to meet the needs of the poor and broken within their city.
But probably my favorite thing about the whole discussion this statement made by our Salem friend when she said "if I ever start buying things that are so expensive and valuable to me that I can't bring myself to give them away to someone else who needs them, then I need to not have those things to begin with".
And I just totally love that. And believe it. And want to keep it in mind and remember it every time I go to spend my money. Even though its not my money to begin with.
Thats all I got.
Think about it.
