Mercy Ministry

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to share the aspects of my job that I really appreciate. Among the reasons, I cited the opportunities I've had to work with staff members and volunteers, as well as the growth I've experienced through my interaction with our clients. In many ways, I've benefited by being involved in a ministry to homeless and needy people. I've observed how others have freely demonstrated love, communicated the gospel, and offered a hand up to our clients, and I've come to a point where I don't think I could be shocked by anything in a person's past...saddened but not surprised. But sometimes I can't help but see the "con-artist" in some of our clients. They have been in a survivor mode for so long, they will say and do just about anything to meet their immediate needs, or cravings as the case may be. And sometimes it's easy to fall into an attitude of judgmentalism..."Those people need to get jobs and quit looking for handouts!."

The mission staff understands that some of the people that come to us should be employed and earning their own way. That's the direction we give them. (If they are in our discipleship program, they will take classes to prepare them for the work force, and we'll assist them in getting their GED if they didn't complete their high school education.) The situation for many of our clients, though, is far more complex than being unemployed. We have to look to the root cause(s) of their homelessness. Are they indeed just satisfied "working the system"? Are there other factors involved...mental illnesses, physical or mental challenges, substance abuse, etc.? Or are they temporarily homeless due to a lay-off, fire, or eviction? Regardless of the circumstances, we are there to minister to their needs, loving our neighbors as ourselves.

I was thinking about how Jesus showed compassion to so many people during his earthly ministry...feeding them, healing their diseases, mending wounded hearts, while proclaiming the hope of the gospel. Were there "con-artists" in the crowds that followed Jesus around the countryside who were only after the "freebies"? Most definitely. Even knowing their hearts, Jesus extended grace and mercy, just as he continues to do today. At the mission, we don't know which of our clients will become a new creation in Christ, but God does, and it's a beautiful thing to see when it happens. Our calling is to extend love to our neighbors, leaving the results to the Holy Spirit.