A Little Less Conversation and a Little more action please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little more fight and a little less spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart...
-Elvis Presley
I experienced something incredible this past week. I saw Jesus, but not in the way you might expect.
I took part in a 'Homeless Ministry' which some friends of mine started. What started as a weekly Bible Study where people could come together and talk about their lives and faith, soon took action. Those who became tired of talking about their faith decided to act upon their beliefs. But the thing that sets these people apart from most is that they have continued their reaching out to the homeless and have developed a relationship with those living on the streets in certain areas of Downtown Lakeland.
The only reason I share this is what I call an obligation to giving background story. Before I continue I want you to understand that I admire this group for what they do, but that is it. I am not a people worshiper. There's only one who gets my worship but that's another story which connects to all of my stories. I don't know if it's possible to chronicle that one like I am able to do with this one.
At around 6:00 P.M. on Thursday night, I met everyone at a friend's apartment where we made and packaged grilled cheese sandwiches. We also made hot chocolate for what was the coldest night we have had so far this winter. There had been a lot of various items donated to this group, such as blankets and sleeping bags. There were six of us total who then loaded up everything into three cars and left for downtown.
I had no idea what to expect, but I was anxious. They had been telling me about what they do, but generally describe it as loving people. We weren't going out there to preach a sermon about Jesus' Love we were out there to demonstrate it. I've learned that to show love is much more powerful than telling someone about it. It was dark when we got to the street we would be handing the food and items at. We were welcomed with open arms...some of which held beer or at some point in the day held some form of drug which they used to get high. That was the state we found some of them in. I imagine that's normal, but considering this is my first experience with these people, I have nothing to compare it to.
The sandwiches were gone quite quickly and so were the blankets and pillows and sleeping bags. They all wanted to talk to us. One woman I'll probably never forget. She goes by the name, "Mama Duck" and she told us it was her birthday that night. She walked with a cane in one hand and loved to say, "you think I'm kidding". She was never kidding. She is also what we consider the nickname giver and everyone gets a new nickname every time they see her. That night I was "Fat-boy". She had been drinking some form of beer all day and was completely wasted by the time we got to her. She attempted to bring up theology, knowing we were Christians. At first another friend, who she nicknamed "Blond Bombshell" which is what I will refer to him as for the rest of this note, attempted to talk with her about the grace of God but gave up not out of doubt in himself but the realization that she was not in a state of mind to be discussing God's grace. So we were just extremely kind to her and even helped her carry everything we gave her to where she would be borrowing space until the next morning.
As I read this last paragraph over, I realize there isn't much of a point to this story other than I love people. I often kid about how I don't like people, and there used to be a lot of truth to that but something has changed. I just want to live my life, everyday, like I did that night.
I still haven't told you how I saw Jesus. Yes so far the people I was with showed his love quite clearly,
but there was one moment that just struck me to the core.
One of my other friends, who will remain nameless, gave away a pair of hiking shoes. They were in the back of his trunk as we were handing out blankets and sleeping bags when one of the homeless men saw these shoes and asked if they were being handed out. One of those with us said that they belonged to my friend, but my friend quickly smiled and said...
"No. They're yours."
He handed them to the homeless man. I later asked him if they were actually his and he said yes...they were a 90 dollar pair of boots. He didn't think twice about it. I wish I had that kind of strength, but I don't know if I have it. I saw Jesus through my friend and I'll never forget that night and what I saw through each of my friends.
I missed out on other things that night. Like spending time with my best friends, or watching new episodes of Smallville and the Office (which I still haven't seen yet!), but to be completely honest I do not care. For a while I've been carrying on about practical ministry opportunities but not attempting to take a step outside of myself and be something more.
All I did was talk and I'm done talking. I'm done watching others do amazing things for those around them and me just saying I'm going to do things for those around me.
I feel like my eyes have been opened and in turn my heart has been as well. I don't plan on missing out on these opportunities again. I don't plan on falling back into apathy.
I'll never forget this experience and that is why I am proud to encourage you to do something about your faith, but not so that you look good for others but so that others will be changed for the better. In the end, it's not about you, it's not about me, it is about living so that others can learn what it feels like to truly be alive.
-Christopher "Fat-Boy" Peters
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