Note: This is a very raw, uncorrected, not pre-meditated, post – that is happening to me right this moment. I have not had much time to think this through - so my writing will be reactionary. My opinions and actions are subject to change.
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At this moment there is a homeless person sitting, asleep, in the church waiting room, looking for a handout, smelling of urine, cigarettes, and general uncleanness. She suffers from multiple-personality syndrome and wanders in and out of different persona in the middle of sentences. She is waiting because she insists on speaking with the Senior Pastor, who I am most certainly not.
The question I am asking myself right now is – if I were Senior Pastor, what would I do?
She has offered to work around the church, cleaning, dusting, doing whatever odd job we can find. All she wants’ in return is a bus ticket out of town. I know the church does not have the money for a bus ticket; our policy is to give food vouchers – which we are out of due to high demand.
I believe, and preach, that the church needs to offer real help to people such as this – but how? What do we do? What can we give that would possibly change her situation? How can I really make any sort of difference here?
Some would suggest prayer, which I have already engaged in. Undoubtedly, many people have prayed for her, to deliver her from her affliction, for healing – but God has obviously chosen not to do anything about it, and perhaps with good reason.
Part of my job is to help people find need in this world and address it, and now need is sitting right outside my office and I don’t know what to do. I want to believe that my hands are tied, which they are to a certain degree, so that I can absolve myself of any responsibility.
At the moment the best I can do is offer her a bottle of water and part of my lunch, and a little human companionship – which I think I will go and do. I think that, even if he couldn’t perform a miracle in this situation Jesus would do at least this.
But first some questions for you…
What would you do? What do you do when faced with a situation like this? What feelings arise?
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