Faith Like a Child
As is her custom, she showed up early to church looking for coffee and donuts. This particular lady struggles with alcohol abuse and lives in shelters. Upon greeting her, we realized that she was wounded. She had been violently mugged. While having little to steal, thieves took one of her few earthly possessions, her purse.
This is an example of a complex reality that offers no simple solutions. So much of her pain has been self-inflicted, yet she had suffered an injustice. I think we all responded with the reservation that is rooted in the complex, offering only comfort, encouragement, prayer and a warm drink. But the story changed quickly with my little Chase’s beautiful response to her need. As a little 4 year-old he knows the value of loss. His solution was simple. “Mom,” he said, “You have an extra purse don’t you? Why don’t we give her a new purse?”
Chase and Kellie walked back to our house and brought back a purse. The woman’s face lit up! Her smile was radiant. Chase understood one of the most basic principles of obedience to Jesus – Love in action. It was much like the story of the Good Samaritan, a story Jesus told when describing the kind of Love that brings us near to the Kingdom.
All around us we see the obvious – people self-destructing. Yet if we look a bit closer, we discover the injustices and pain that are at the root of the self-destruction. With our eyes we discover an open door for God’s grace and mercy to be proclaimed. I believe that this is why Jesus loved without demanding repentance, and yet from His love repentance flowed.
It has been over a month now since this happened and we have seen the greatest amount of transformation in this woman’s life since we have known her. As I observe her on Sundays, she seems to be sober. However, I noticed an even greater change after the purse incident. For two weeks in a row, when the offering was collected, she plunged forward to make a contribution. Do you ever wonder what happened to the man who was cared for by the Samaritan? I do. I can only imagine how his perspective on life must have changed. I am not sure that this woman has repented and believed in the good news yet, but this I know, she has tasted the goodness of God’s love. The Kingdom is near.
Recently I walked through a brand new development in the city of Orlando, an amazing place. Everything was new and everyone was boasting of the “perfect reality” being developed. Yet as I walked in the restroom I noticed that someone had already tagged the wall. This reminded me that we can run but we can’t hide. For our family, the city is a backdrop that offers no illusion of long term hope emerging from the minds of this world. We in America have the best technology and science any human has experienced, yet all around the world the poor are poorer than ever. Mankind’s good ideas are noble, but do not guarantee a better future. On the other hand, as followers of Jesus, we see glimpses of God’s plan for a better future through a new hope birthed in Jesus’ invitation to receive abundant life and the opportunity to become a citizen in the real realm of God.
The city is a place of great pain, yet great hope. In the city, we see glimpses of what we hope for when we receive Jesus and long for His Kingdom to come. The city is no utopian escape from the reality of this world. Because of this, we are driven to better understand the power of Jesus’ words giving us hope for that which he promised. These are not a new set of beliefs. When the church realizes it’s purpose in this world it runs to the hardest places because it knows that while we are in this world, we are not of it. When the church runs from the fire, it finds itself losing its identity and quickly realizing that it has surrendered its citizenship to this world.
Our passion and vision for the city continues to be the heart beat of our tired souls. Here we stand, refusing to retreat on this battlefield, believing that God is our great leader and will not forsake the work of His servants here. We are learning to be better followers of Jesus by living in this place, being equipped for the ministry as we ourselves equip others.
Often I am asked why I write to you in story form. For many reasons, I suppose. However, the most important reason is that I desire that you realize the same adventure in your own life and city. All around you, the opportunities exist. Our world of missionaries often calls you to be supporters of the action that is distant, but we believe otherwise. You are called to the action, not just to the support. One family will never change a city, but that is why Jesus invites ALL of His people to walk in His way and to experience the real realm of God that is often unseen to the normal eye. For us, it all began when we surrendered to the simple call of Loving God and Loving our Neighbor – not as missionaries, but as followers of Jesus. No matter where we live, this is the great command.
Thank you for your continued support. We are carried forward by God’s grace through you. My trip to Brasil was a success. It was a privilege to see God’s movement amongst His people in a country that I love. We hosted several visitors this month including Pastor Russell and Bev Johnson, from one of our sending churches. I am offering some consulting time and resources to a church start in Millbrae, the Peninsula Church (third generation Latino), and also to another start in Orlando. We are continuing to discuss our future opportunities here in San Francisco with our partners, including the establishment of a new church. I love how God’s army is a mosaic of people, visions, locations and perspectives. What a God of love to include us!
We have posted some new pictures on the web at www.mccordonline.org. Like so many missionaries who’s first order of business is to arrive, settle, learn the language and customs of the their field we have done so also. We are excited to cast a vision for our future from this perspective of greater understanding and awareness of this soil we have been called to. Our works continue to yield fruit and our partnerships to deepen by God’s grace and leading.
We would love to hear from you also! Let us know how you are doing. We love to stay connected by email.
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posted by Ken McCord @ 10:01 AM
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