Give Away Your Life

For over 2 years now I have had the desire to spend time on a regular basis with those who live on the streets.  Not to tell them they need to make the choices I make, to live like me but to begin a friendship and maybe just maybe they may see a hint of Jesus in me.  As I write that sentence I feel as though some may think I am boasting.  It is not that, it's just I'm sure people I encounter each day do not always see Jesus in me, because I am not always being the person he has asked me to be.

I've wrestled all week with the words "Beauty in the Broken".  We are currently working on an piece of art to unveil during Hunger and Homeless week in November.  Kris, the photographer, told me she chose a particular spot in the chapel to shoot each picture because this spot reflected the beauty in the broken. If only we could all see the beauty we are missing out on each day.

Today, I'm traveling to Nashville to meet with the leader of The Bridge Ministry.  Tomorrow, I will lead our first meeting for our Homeless Outreach at HOTEL INC.  I don't know what to expect, who will show, but I know that God has a greater plan - a plan of life for us to live and live with others.

As I am reading in the book of Luke this morning the title of the text begins to resonate with me " Give Away Your Life". The words pierce, prod and promise me.  Then I begin to look through other pages of Luke and the titles of An Event for Everyone, Blessings, Son of Adam - Son of God, Tested by the Devil, To Set the Burdened Free, He Healed them All, Push Out into Deep Water, Invitation to a Changed Life, You're Blessed, Work the Words into Your Life, Is this what You were Expecting,  His Touch, Keep it Simple, Bread and Fish for Five Thousand, Don't Run from Suffering, Your Business in Life, Defining " Neighbor", Ask for What you Need, Keep your Eyes Open, Can't Hide Behind a Religious Mask, Steep Yourself in God Reality, The Way to God, Invite the Misfits, Figure the Cost, The story of the Lost Sheep, The story of the Lost Coin, The story of the Lost Son, God sees behind Appearances, A Rich Man and Lazarus, A Kernel of Faith, Zacchaeus, God's Personal Visit, All Intimacies will be with God, Get Ready for Trouble, The Road to Emmaus.  This is not all of them for the story of birth, death and resurrection are in the book of Luke too but these titles...today these titles beckon me.

I could write a story about each of the titles above and maybe someday I will but for this moment I just reread them and allow the words to penetrate my soul. I am reminded of my true genealogy, of miracles, of walking away, of redeeming love, of moving beyond my self and my selfishness, of blessings, of no discrimination, of the cost.

Lord, make me an instrument of you.  Your love, your kindness, your grace so that I may always see the beauty in the broken and be willing to give away my life, for you.       amen