What If?

It’s 11 something at night, and I’m sitting here on my couch in complete awe of the God that I serve. I am in awe of His continued faithfulness, goodness, and His relentless kindness towards His children. I’m in awe of the friendships He has sent my way, the life-giving, life-long friendships that I will forever cherish, and the community of sisters that have walked with me through some of the hardest months of my life. God leaves me completely undone, and tonight was no exception. Worship sessions and church in the car – yes ma’am, Hallelujah. It was a good time.

Aside from church in the car and lots of laughter, tonight I had the opportunity to go to Lafayette with a few of these sisters from church to serve at a place that feeds, loves on, and provides for the under-served in the community. It was the most beautiful sight, and it was everything my heart needed for a recharge. It was everything God knew I needed. He is JUST that good.

Scripture from Matthew 25 was quoted prior to opening the doors, and I instantly knew this was my kind of place. It’s funny how God does that.

“Then the King will come to those on his right, ‘Come you,’ who are blessed by my Father to inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me.” –Matthew 25: 34-40

This scripture has been in every part of my journey with Jesus. It’s the epitome of what’s in the depths of my beating heart–my heart for missions, for people, for the “least of these”, for the lost, for those who just need someone to love them where they are. It is not only a representation of how we should treat others, but ultimately it’s in our love for others, our actions towards others, and even in our inactions towards others that is ultimately us serving God, Himself. In the Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we read that we were created in HIS image. We are ALL a living, breathing part of HIS image – no matter race, ethnicity, sex, sexual preference, mistakes, successes.

We are ALL a part of

Who. He. Is.

Let’s picture that for a second.

Think of this big massive puzzle, every piece being uniquely different in its own way. All small but once the puzzle is complete it makes something so incredibly beautiful –the most beautiful image you’ll ever see.Friends, we are the puzzle pieces. We are the pieces that fit together to make an image – God. We are all parts and pieces of HIM. So what we do for these other pieces – people – “the least of these” – we do for HIM. Make sense?

So, why can’t we be the change? Why can’t we love on people who are made in the same image as we are? Why can’t we love on others that may think differently than us, look differently, act differently, or talk differently? Why can’t we actively CHOOSE to do for the least of these out of only pure love for the Father?

We were not only created as part of His image, but we were created to love on others around us, and thanks to this scripture, an hour ride home, and two seventeen-year-old wise beauties – I was reminded of that tonight. I’m thankful for the opportunities and the doors that God has opened in my life, but do you think if someone else who we may consider to be “the least of these” was given the same opportunities – think they’d be where I am? I’d like to say, probably. We’re all given opportunities, but sometimes we get the short end of that wishbone, and things seem to never go well. Sometimes we were just handed the worst cards and always seem to have a losing hand. Sometimes we just can’t help our situations. Sometimes we are born into a family where mom is present, dad is not. Mom is working three jobs to keep food on the table and the oldest son feels the need to help his mom out – leading him to a life of crime on the street so he can help make money for his family. Sometimes a child is born to a mother who’s a drug addict, and the only thing this child knows is a life of poverty, pain, and addicts. This leads to a life of bad decisions and a drug addiction that can’t be shaken. Yes, we all have opportunities to change our path. Generational curses are a thing, and they can be broken. Yes, we have free will, but sometimes I truly believe that God calls His chosen to bridge the gap between the worldly and His Kingdom. What if this mother struggling to provide for her children, at wits end with everything, feels so alone she can’t stand it– what if she walks through the doors of thatsoup kitchen and that’s the ONE night a week that takes the burden off of her shoulders? What if that’s the best meal she can provide for her children during the week? What if you, as the servant and friend, are the only representation of Jesus she sees? What if your smile is that one-ounce of hope her breaking heart needs? What if that son who feels like he has to join the crime-life in order to help his mother walks into this same place and meets a young man who knows Jesus, whose smile is warm and caring? What if they become friends, and the young man’s father owns a lawn service and he just so happens to be looking for new lawn guy to cut yards? What if this young man can be the bridge for this son who’s standing between a life of crime,evil, and death and a life of good, hard earned living, Jesus,and peace? What if that drug addict mother walks in and this is the only place that ever felt like home for her? What is she finds solace and comfort in you? Yes, you. What if she feels led to express to you her life’s journey and your friendship is the reason she goes every week because she knows you’re going to be there to not talk to her, not to condemn her, but to love her? What if her child is with her and it’s in these moments where her child meets Jesus?What if it’s in these moments a generational curse is broken? What if it’s in these moments a new path for her child is opened all because you went, you served, and you loved?