I failed the test, but maybe not the class. That encounter was part of a process of change. This process is important, maybe even necessary in “finding families.”
In order to come across the needy in a way that their needs and ways of meeting those needs are identified, some practical, intentional leg work has to happen. These things involve a significant amount of motivation and moving out of your comfort zone. For me, that included going to a meeting in the community concerned with the homeless, sleeping under the bridge with the homeless, bringing food each week under the bridge to feed the homeless, attending church services across town, hanging out with people that were already serving among the needy, and calling and visiting agencies that were serving the needy.
What are the chances a person would do those things? I would guess the chances are slim, which may be why relatively few do it, even in Christian circles. Compassion requires a “strong desire.” Where does one get that? For me, it comes from an iterative, contemplative process.
Making a list of practical things to find families would be like throwing the pearls before the swine if the person does not tap into a source of the “strong desire.” For me, it had to start with a test to show me my heart, followed by a willingness to follow the leading in my heart that God through his grace was giving me. That is a process, a journey of discipleship.
3 comments:
I'm glad you skipped "finding families 3" cuz ive been waiting for the 4th.
When does that strong desire waver, and how have you dealt with that?
hahaha...there is a draft of 3 somewhere. It may show up.
You need to stop asking such easy questions! Waver it does. Let me stew on this today.
I was at a talk this last Friday by Jim Wallis here in LR. If you don't know him, he is an Christian who has been a long advocate for social justice. After his talk, someone asked him how he is able to keep at it. to paraphrase him, he said that he believes that it is difficult to do this kind of work without being a contemplative.
I would have to agree. I believe the "strong desire" comes from God and into our hearts. One has to use the spiritual disciplines to push back the distractions in order to tap into God's grace in our hearts.
I frequently get off center. When I do, I know what I need to do. Like I did Sunday morning on my back deck.
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