Today my kids and I partnered with a local organization to serve the homeless community. We not only prepared backpacks and food for delivery, but we also rode in a bus with the organization to hand out the items and fellowship with their community.
I have to be honest, I was a bit concerned about taking on this task. The homeless community is not my passion. Yes, I love and care about them, but you won’t find me starting the next homeless focused non-profit. So, I was concerned about how this lack of passion would come across as I interacted with them today.
The individuals I met were smart, funny, intelligent people who have simply run into some hard times. They were optimistic about their future and thankful for the blessings they still enjoyed: life, freedom and health. We talked openly. I not only listened, but I shared as well. And their names, their faces and their stories are forever a part of my heart and life.
You see God used this opportunity to teach me a very important lesson. It’s not always about passion. I don’t have to be passionate about the cause in order to show compassion for the people affected by it. Galatians 5:22-23 states, “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. That is where my passion should and does lie, not in the cause, but rather in allowing the light of the Lord that is within me to shine to others. And, as long as that light is burning a lack of passion for the cause can’t and won’t dim it.
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I pray that my conversation, my presence, and my love was a blessing to each person I encountered today. I pray for their circumstances, their families, and their faith. I pray they will not allow the darkness that is their situation overcome the light of the Lord’s presence and love for each of them. And I pray God’s mercy and favor into their lives and hearts.
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