Home(less) for the Holydays

I know among the many terrible things Christmas can be, that it is often a wonderful (yet stressful) time with family and friends. I ask that in the coming week you would not forget our homeless friends. The holydays are a terrible time for the homeless. Many homeless people have no family, or have been disowned. Those who do still have family have most of the time at least lost contact with them.

While we enjoy time with family, or phone calls with family, we should remember our friends. It is cold out, and most shelters only allow visitors to stay for 7 days a month. Take some time to gather some of your abundance, some clothes that are going to waste, some of God's goodness that we hoard to ourselves. Take the time to gather it, and give it to those who don't have. Take some time away from your family (or with it) and go be the family of a homeless person. Don't use ignorance as your excuse, call any homeless ministry in your area and they will give you some advice.

If you are reading this blog, chances are you have been economically blessed amazingly by God (as I have). God doesn't give us wealth so we can enjoy it. (now don't get me wrong, there is nothing inherently wrong with money, or possesions) God gives to us, that we may be his hands and feet and bless others. Israel always viewed her role as God's redemptive hand on earth, and while she often fell (as we do) and while she often failed in her job (as we do) she did, in the end, produce the redeemer.

Too often the church sees Christ as only saviour, when we attempt to be his hands and feet we try only to save. When the church views Christ as redeemer, friend, lover, teacher, God and saviour she can become the manifestation of God on earth, being his hands and feet, serving those who God has given us to serve.

Think about ways you can be God's hands and feet to the world in the coming week. And then act on it.