The world is hurting right now.
God’s people are hurting right now.
Our body is hurting right now.
Tuesday was the first time I went downtown since the awful death of George Floyd. I’ve been praying while being home and reaching out to those I know who may be hurting right now, but I still felt the need to go downtown. I felt the need to see with my own eyes what the city I went to college in, where my aunt and uncle live, where part of my heart is and will always be. I went to help with a church that was serving food near the memorial site for George Floyd.
On the way there, as I would get closer I would see so many encouraging signs either along the road or on church buildings or on boarded up stores. This gave me hope and will continue to give me hope for the changes that will come and the voices that are being heard. *
Now when I got there I was able to hand out food and got to talk to so many people, taking the time to ask for their name and get to know them. There was one black man (we’ll call him James) who stood out, he came by about four times to get food and the fourth time we got talking more and he asked me this question point blank:
“Why are you here?”
Now this was not a hurtful question, it was an honest question of curiosity and a powerful one to ask. I thought about it for a second, but it didn’t take long.
“To show love which is something that so many people are needing right now.”
That’s about what I said but it lead into a really good conversation. I talked about how I was there with a church and I asked him what he believed. Bold question with a bold question back right? Honestly those are my favorite conversations.
He shared with me about how he believes in Christian values, that they are good but doesn’t go to church. He grew up in the church but now not so much. We talked a little about that but I felt the need to pray for him. Honestly I think that’s why God sent him over four times… He may have been hungry physically but I think also hungry spiritually. There were a few people behind him so I asked if it was okay if I helped them and then prayed for him. He said yes and did wait.
After I helped serve the next people I went out and prayed for him, I asked for his name again (although I try really hard I’m not the best at remembering names) and prayed for him. I prayed safety over him, for him to experience God’s love and protection, for his family, for patience for him and for him to see God in the heartache. There may have been more but that is what I remember.
A few things that stood out from this conversation:
1) What is our reason to go out and serve? Is it truly to show love and care people? Is it to make us feel good? Are we truly trying to show love in ALL we do? This is something to really check ourselves about, God wants us to do everything with love and for the Glory of God. Is that something we are doing?
2) It got me thinking of why church is important. I want to share a little bit about what I have been thinking: the church is important to build one another up TO GO OUT and tell people about the hope we have in Christ. The church is not just a place where people gather, it is a community that encourages, supports and challenges one another. It is a community that looks out for one another, at least that is what the early church demonstrated. It made me think, is that really what people who walk into a church experience and see? Do they see a community that looks like family that is living life together more than just Sunday morning?
3) Christianity is more than just rules and values, yes those are part of that but it’s more than that. It’s about having a relationship with someone who KNOWS our hurts, joys, struggles, strengths. My hardest times where not good because of the things I did, but the person (God who wants to call me “friend”) who sat with me in those times and never left even if I wanted Him to. Even though yes Christian values are good (because Christ is good) it’s about our relationship with Him and I hope and pray that is something you can experience today and everyday.
4) MOST IMPORTANTLY take the time to hear what other people have to say and what they are experiencing. Right now especially, people are hurting whether that be from racial injustice, loss or destruction people are hurting. Let’s take the time and be slow to speak and quick to listen.
I’m so thankful I was able to go out and serve, be able to go out and mourn with those who are hurting and have hope for changes that are coming from this tragedy.
May we all ask bold questions just like James did, to truly listen to one another and bear one another’s burdens. I hope and pray James and so many others find that RELATIONSHIP with Christ that makes everything so worth it.
*last night I went to a different part of town and it’s a totally different feel and know that even though there is hopeful signs there is so much hurt in that city. Please continue praying for Minneapolis and other cities that have seen destruction of their city. We are called to pray steadfastly through the good and bad times, we need prayer. There is hope, let us pray into that and the hope God gives us everyday by giving us life!
