Get to know those you help

Winter is coming full blown upon us. For the next few weeks, according to some experts, we can expect cold, maybe snow, and wintery weather. There may be school closures and even postponements. Winter in Southeast Missouri is often unpredictable.

Isaiah 58 has a very interesting passage. Starting on verse six the statement is, “Is this not the fast I choose…,” then verse 7 hits the point… “Is it not to break your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Isaiah was called to bring the Israelites back to their faith, and a strong part of that faith was getting back to take care of the homeless, the poor and neglected. This seems to me a particularly excellent time to get back to this kind of fasting. Remember, we are called to love our neighbors, and even the homeless are our neighbors.

Not only do we need to take care of these people, but might I suggest we up the game. Let’s get to know them. You see, I always wonder who “they” is. You know, “they want to paint the church blue”, or “They don’t like what you said last Sunday.” The homeless to often get grouped into the “they” group because “they” aren’t us. However, maybe “they” should be.

I know, it’s easier to just donate blankets and food to the people in need. But we aren’t called to just donate, are we? No, we are called to make disciples of all nations, even the homeless nation. That means it is our privilege to strike up a relationship with those we are trying to help. This may mean getting our hands a bit dirty, but if it means a new person in the Kingdom, then a little dirt won’t hurt.

The homeless people have names, they have dreams. None of them woke up one day and said, “Hey I think I’ll try this homeless gig for a while.” These people are someone’s daughter, or someone’s son. These are not nameless faceless entities; these are children of God. Thus, we need to connect with more than just food and shelter. We need to connect with Love.

Being a follower of Christ is not safe, because Christ is not safe. We are called to look upon everyone as Christ did, with love and compassion. It isn’t enough to just fulfill their needs, we need to bring them back into the Body of Christ. I urge you to take the time to get to know the ones you are helping. Find out not only who they are but how you can truly help. Who knows, you may have just what they need to get from the streets and into a home.

I know this, this type of ministry is risky and even scary. But we serve a Christ who took the risk of dying to save you and me, how can we do anything less?

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.