The conversation we were having was about foreign missionaries and how I've always had a heart to travel to various countries and show the people who are told are completely worthless and not loved that God does love them and that He does have a purpose for them. In bringing this up with Greg we also talked about people that ignore the citizens in their own cities who are STARVING but will spend $1,000 on dinner at a fancy restaurant. He made a valid point in saying that he doesn't understand why some people are so focused on serving people in other countries whom they don't even know when they can't even love the people they live next to. ...wow, awesome point.
I guess serving and loving people around me comes as second nature as if I am compelled to do so because the love of Christ overflows from me, so my perspective on other people serving across the world is skewed because they may not all think like I do. Granted there is nothing wrong with wanting to serve overseas nor wanting to help those that may have never heard the gospel, but Greg's right. If we can't love the people in America, our neighbors, the people that go to school here, the people that completely and outrightly REJECT GOD, then there is no way that we will be effective in serving across the world. I know that the Lord has called some of us to go and I feel it would be sinful to not answer the call to go over there, but again, we need to be alluring and inviting to everyone we encounter, even those we have nothing in common with.
Every thursday night a group of people wanting to be the hands and feet of Jesus meet at 308 Mack Dr. around 9:30pm. We pray and invite the Spirit to do work and move in our hearts and the hearts of those we encounter. Around 11:45pm we head to wal-mart or respected grocery store and buy cases of water and head towards Fry Street. For those of you unfamiliar with Denton, Fry Street is where all the bars in Denton are. It's basically a mini (and I mean mini Austin 6th street). There are about 7 bars that we see people hop from the time we get there until the bars close at 2am. We have seen everything from people falling over drunk, taking the water we give them and tossing it into the street screaming profanities, to people being arrested. We stand in various spots along the street and pass out this free water to anyone who is willing to take it and drink it, in hopes that we may be the light in this VERY dark place. We've had some very serious conversations with people and some just want to tell us we're wrong and that God doesn't love us and He doesn't have a plan. But we've made our presence known and we are starting to see some people think "wow these people gave up their thursday night for me? why me? I'm just a drunk college kid who is searching for something. Why do they care about ME?'
And this is exactly what we are looking for! People who are thirsty, searching, and hungry for something the fulfill them. Everyone that goes out with our group knows that this is true and many of them were once that person until someone took the time to love them and tell them about the love Jesus has for them as well. I write this to encourage you to make sure you're loving the least of these. No matter where you are, even if you feel like you're stuck in a stupid town with no hope of anything, you can be the hands and feet of Jesus no matter where you are! You just have to learn to look outside yourself and love those around you because ultimately that's what Christ did. He loved wherever He went. Always alluring, always open, and always ready to extend grace.
If you desire to join us Thursday nights anyone is welcome. Just make sure your heart is open and ready to love on those that desperately need light. And for those that may be in a different city, it just takes one person to stand up and start being the hands and feet for others to catch on. Start loving and trust that God is with you. You are not alone and someone may be looking for that love right now, don't hold back from them
*meg
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