St. Timothy Lutheran Church

I don't know if you've noticed,  but lately, we've been visited by some needy people.  No longer do we have to look beyond our doors to find opportunities to love and to serve (although we do have an ongoing call to do so).  God is bringing those opportunities right to us. 

I won't mention any names, but one of these people is a homeless man seeking for something better to happen in his life.  I met him first during the week, while he was here to earn some money by doing some work that needed to be done around St. Timothy.  After that, he started visiting us on Sunday mornings, usually attending Connections - and he's returned several times.  Last Sunday, while my wife was talking to him and asking how he was doing, he shared that he was feeling frustrated, that nothing in his life ever seemed to get better. 

 And last Wednesday, I noticed a visitor at Pit Stop, and so I sat down to talk with him.  He shared that he doesn't consider himself a Christian, that He's not sure that he trusts everything in the Bible, but that he does believe in Jesus, though I didn't press him for more on what he meant by that.  He told me during our conversation that a friend had suggested that he seek out a church, and so he walked about a mile to come check us out.  Again, I didn't ask him why, but it was evident to me that he's searching, that he's in need.  He also said that he's always nervous about telling people in a church that he's not sure he believes in Christianity.  He's afraid that he'll be condemned.  I gave him a ride home, and on the way, he told me that he was glad he came.  I hope he'll be back.

 Having said all that, though, I have two thoughts. The first is that I wonder how we'll respond to people like this as a church body.  Will we treat them like they're unwanted if they live under a bridge, or if they don't believe what we believe?  Will we stereotype them as lazy or heretical, even though they may be seeking to improve their lives, or looking for God?  When they or others like them visit us, will they find this to be a place where Jesus welcomes them with love, and grace, and truth, or will they find that human pride is alive and well?

But the second thought is this: We are no better.  We are the needy.  Our needs may not look as obvious, and our needs may not seem to run as deep, but they're there. 

So how well will you respond to the neediness in the people who are already here?  Will you share burdens, will you suffer with others, will you give whatever you can to meet the needs?  What will you do with your own neediness?  Will you hide it, thinking that maybe you're the only person here that doesn't have it all together?  Will you hide it even from yourself, convincing yourself that you're truly independent, and strong, and above the petty needs of others?

The needy are here.  What will you do?