Project vs Authenticity
July 28, 2023 - It's raining and I had the urge to write while waiting on the storm to pass. Today has been a full day for us. Errands, taking our "sick car" to car doctor (y'all pray) and then I have been prepping for Monday's lunch. As I was prepping I thought about those we serve. We see so much anger, lack of trust, defeat, hopelessness, pride, denial etc. However, we also see individuals that truly want a better life than what they are experiencing right now. They are just having a very hard time finding their way.
In my pondering, I thought of Steve and myself and how we are not much different than those we serve. We too, are individuals who at times have lost our way and have done stupid things, that looking back we wished we would have never done. We have found ourselves confused, battered and bruised from everything that life throws at you and more. Some things deserved and some not. We have felt defeated, hopeless and have found ourselves in denial. Then of course, PRIDE creeps in and he tells you that "you got this", when in actuality you really don't. Yeah, we are more alike to those we serve, than most within the local church, if the truth be known.
Twelve years ago when we started the cafe we thought about all the people that could benefit from "our help", never realizing that the two people who started this ministry (Steve & Ann), were the very people that needed the most help. My, my, my the things that God can teach you. We may have started off this ministry with a self righteous attitude, but boy has that changed.
Today, we can both say for certainty that we do what we do because we LOVE those that we serve with every fiber of our being. We KNOW the pain, the hurt, the trauma, failed expectations etc and we KNOW what it is like to cause some of that pain and then have to deal with the fallout. Oh yeah. Boy can we relate.
Anyone can "DO" ministry, however, to "DO" ministry effectively, you have to be willing to be both humbled and broken. An addict/alcoholic/the homeless/a family member/friend etc will all see and know if they have become just another "project" to you and they will not give you nor your message a second thought. On the other hand if they sense that you are a person who is real and transparent, then they will hang on your every word. Including the sharing of the Gospel.
Hurting and desperate people don't need another program, whether it's in church or in the secular world. They want and crave for people just to be real and authentic. Are you willing to be broken and humbled so that Jesus can shine through to a lost and dying world. The choice is ours. Think about it 🙂
