Real People

I can't pin it down to one day or moment per say but I know it happened in one week. My eyes were opened. At that point I thought opened to everything, oh the childness of that for they have continued to be opened as each day passes I see more. What of those who have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel? Not even just that but they don't even have the opportunity. What about the tribes that one no has heard of that want to hear, they are begging for people to come, what of them? What of those others deem "the enemy"...should they not be able to hear the Jesus loves them too? What of those who are 13 and call their neighbors vietnam yet they live in this country of freedom? What of the children who have no life in them because they have never been loved? What of the mothers who are trying to raise her kids all by herself because the father ran? What of the individuals who are tricked into slavery? What of the young girl who throws up because she doesn't believe she's beautiful? what of the boy who was given a semiautomatic gun before he was 5? What of the thousands dieing of preventable diseases? What of the family that lives across the street and is torn by a divorce? What of the marriage that is falling apart because of porn? What of the kids who are loosing their parents because of HIV AIDS? What of the families living in the Indian slums?

I see all these things then I turn around and ask... what of the families who have been blessed to be a blessing yet hoard it? What of the mountains of shoes piled in a closet when a child doesn't have one? What of one more meal out when there are people starving to death not the little phrase we use but literally starving to death? What of the few minutes it would take to stop and talk with the person who lives there on street? What of the cures we have that could save lives? What about Jesus that could save more than just their bodies yet there is no movement - just comfort, safety, materials, money, and...and....

But then once again, my gracious Father grabs me by the hand and opens my eyes a little further to see all the saints around me working for His glory. People who love those little kids who have never been loved to see them come to life. People stop drinking bottle water because some have to walk miles just to get clean water and then who put a well in a village so that they only have to water a couple of feet. People who welcome in college aged students year after year letting them into their lives to experience true discipleship and show them God's heartbeat. People who catch a vision of justice and do anything possible to bring it starting with awareness. People who see their co-workers every week in their home to answer questions and plant the seed. People who pray and pray for each person walking into the abortion clinic. People who move across the sea to live in an apathetic community yet continue to share their lives. People who are in tribes that have spears with their names on it because of sharing Jesus. People who are working big paying jobs yet live off of 40% and give the rest to support those overseas. People who start a manufacturing plant in a third world country to give them jobs and the pay they deserve. People who are on college campuses constantly pouring into the lives of the people around them despite the late night or homework. People who are in the inner city hosting groups around to open their eyes to the real city and to love on the those who live in those neighborhoods. People who are taking whatever job they can to pay of school loans so that they can go to a people group that has never heard the gospel. People who are risking their lives to tell others about Jesus. People whose family has threatened to disown them because of their beliefs. People who work immensely hard so that some day they can be a doctor and offer their services free of charge for those who can't afford it and need it the most. People who have the same audience every week and could tell them exactly what they want to hear but instead challenges them with what God's word really says. People who pray for the God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

To my brothers and sisters, I say thank you for giving your life to Christ no matter the cost. And for those of you who aren't this is your challenge. All of the people I just described are real people in my life.

Beyond Blood

The other day I was reminded of two encounters. One back to March. I met someone for the first time and felt like I knew them. But after talking realized I didn't actually know them only I still felt like I did. Recently this happened again. I met some people and there was no possible way I would have known them anywhere but I felt like I knew them. After spending time with them this bond grew and grew as it had done in march. The only common factor: Christ. There is no way to explain that kind of a bond outside of Christ. It doesn't make any sense - why would one feel so close to another person they have never met. I don't just mean this is a way that we have common hobbies and interests but something that goes beyond even family. It doesn't make sense except when the common denominator is Christ. Both are striving full fledged towards Christ then that kind of a bond makes perfect sense.