Misconceptions

The other night, I was in Atlanta, GA to watch some wrestling.  While I was there, I came across some people who had my stereotypical wheels spinning.

One of these people was a street preacher.  Technically, I guess he was a parking lot preacher, but you get the drift.  He was across from Centennial Park, and I caught what I believe to be the end of his message.  He presented the Gospel and was telling any listening ear what they could do in order to not go to Hell.

I also came across a couple of people in the city with plastic cups in their hands looking for spare change.  Just change.  No big speech or build up. 

In both of these instances, I assumed the worst.  What were the endgames of the preacher and the other men?  Was one motivated by condemnation and the others by a need for a fix?  Those were the judgments I rushed to.

What if I was wrong in both cases–what if the preacher was answering his call to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the men were trying to get something to eat?  What if I was right–what if the preacher was being condemning and the men were wanting money for drugs or alcohol? 

In either case, these people are creations of God.  In either case, something greater than the glimpses of them I saw motivated their actions.  In either case, I’m called to respond with love. 

It’s a horrible thought to think you’ll be associated with a preacher who is damning everyone who walks by or helping others damage themselves.  However, you have something to offer these people: love.  By loving them, you will never go wrong.  By loving them, you are showing them the light of Jesus.  By loving them, you are letting God take over–He can do more than your conceptions anytime.