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.
This is such a hard concept for me to apply to my life. I am bombarded daily with opportunities to love those that are hard to trust or just don’t have a good reputation and I regret to say that I don’t always follow the Spirit’s call to love. Not only that, but the stereotype of people like you mentioned who you find on the streets, asking for money/a ride/shelter/food many times also stops me from stopping and helping. But the call of God will never lead anyone where the arms of God aren’t protecting them, and I have been trying to keep that in mind.
Have you heard of the movie “To Save a Life?”
I want to watch it really bad, and your post reminds me of it.
I think it’s a hard thing, and one that should be met with wisdom and discernment. I agree with you about the call of God, and it’s easy to make judgment before recognizing it.
I hope to see “To Save a Life” soon, though I don’t know much about it other than its Christian themes. I need to take advantage of its showing where I live.