S2C

The last blog entry was September 11??? This is truly unacceptable and I am deeply, deeply sorry. You (probably our one and only reader) must be aching to know where we’ve been! Are we still taking pictures? OF COURSE! If there is one piece of information that I can give you, it would be that NEW images have yet to be posted.

This time however, no new baby pictures. Yes, truly in their innocence we see God’s glory in his creation, yet now I rather come to you to share a passion that has been on my mind; displaying God’s sovereignty in ALL things.

Off of my phone, I received twitter messages from John Piper. This is a real blessing for me because I am amazed that  God can use someone across the country to ignite a fire in my heart. A tweet he sent out said the following:

The above image was found here.

Now, I am not prepared to say that I can understand suffering to this extent in a first person perspective, yet I will gladly risk my life to say that in all past, present, and future events, God reigns sovereign. Yes, there are evils in this world that we will never be able to wrap our mind around; evils that make us question, “Where is God now; what’s he doing about this; why does he let these things happen?”. If such thoughts have crossed your mind before, then next as yourself this, “Why do we deserve anything different?” The previously listed questions are put out there as if we have been wronged when certainly, man is the one that first wronged God! Yet still I am graciously given my next breath. So now I ask, “Why me”… It breaks my heart to know that there is no other reason as to why I am not a burn victim to a helicopter crash as 9 year old Asan Bibi (WARNING; Link is very graphic) is other than that it is by God’s grace alone that I am in good health. Not only does this knowledge break my heart, it stirs up in me a passion to devote my work to God.

But what does this have to do with anything new S2C has to bring to the table? Last week, Tuesday October 20,2009, I met  Micheal who has helped stirred up a project that I hope may raise awareness.

I had come out of my physic lab around 3:00pm ready to hit the books to study at Barnes and Noble. Knowing I would be there the rest of the day, I decided to grab a late lunch at In n’ Out. I could have gone to the one closer to my school, but I didn’t. I went to another In n’ Out that was inconveniently out of my way from B&N. As I pulled into the plaza, a homeless man stood by the street with a sign reading, “Anything will help”. I simply ignored him and went on with my day. I ordered my food and sat down by the window. Who knows why I chose the window seat where I could see the homeless man in plain sight. Yet throughout my meal, I felt convicted. I can hear God telling me, “Help him!”. I would question, “Why should I? Someone else will do it. Someone will give him some change.” So as I watched him, at least 50 or so cars past by the man without a single glare his way. Humanity looked hopeless. A stray dog would have gotten more attention than this man. Yet here I was, a Double-Double in one hand and a Coke in the other.

“Anything will help.”

I couldn’t take it anymore, I finished my meal and bought another one for the man. As I approached him, I can see it in his face, He could not believe a meal had come his way. I had never seen someone that looked so hopeless instantly be filled with joy in a matter of seconds.  I shared with him saying that this meal is not from me, but from God. I told him about the conviction I felt and how I hope he understood that Jesus is still looking after him. He introduced himself to me and shared his story saying how he had recently been laid off his work and had owed money. This man wasn’t in trouble for drugs or because he had a gambling problem, he couldn’t afford to spend money on food… I prayed with the man and I went on my way.

Food. I wanted to cry as I drove to B&N. I reflected on everything that had just occurred; The decision to drive to the inconvenient In n’ Out, the decision to sit by the window, the conviction to buy Micheal a meal, the story shared, and now the desire to raise awareness. How can I ever say God is not sovereign?

After meeting with Micheal I decided to begin a project. I hope to encounter more and more homeless people and look in their direction. To hear their story, to take their photograph, and to see where God is in their life; I’ve learned that I love listening to other people talk. I hope to use these opportunities to spread the gospel to those who society won’t even acknowledge. Hopefully, the photographs collected in this journey will change the way others look at the homeless and will reveal stories that would have gone unheard.

I am not trying to say, all homeless people are like Micheal whom which unfortunate events have took their toll placed him in his position. I do believe I will meet others who do have a drug problem, or will buy alcohol with what I am able to give, or gamble the money away. But at least I will be able to do all I could do to help spread the Gospel to those ignored.

So please pray that God guide me towards those he wishes for me to serve.

“In the eyes of a child, or in the eyes of a vagrant, that’s where heaven scrapes the pavement.” Mars Ill