I am so excited that Don’t Walk By is coming up again. The outreach is currently scheduled for July 25, 2009. Don’t Walk By is a christian outreach that was done in January 2009, for the first time ever by a bunch a faith-based organizations coming together around a common cause, to “mobilize troops” for a “search and rescue mission” to reach New York City’s street homeless. The idea for Don’t Walk By is based on the story of the Road from Jericho. It was a major success, and you can check out http://www.dontwalkby.org for more details.
Why is Don’t Walk By and other homeless outreaches so important?
Well, number one, we must know that Jesus himself was homeless. The Bible tells us that there was a scribe (a religious man) who claimed to Jesus that he would follow Him wherever He went. And Matthew 8:20 says, “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” We must understand that we cannot say “LORD I want to follow You” but when He calls us to (or presents to us) a homeless person, or a person in need, and we just turn our head or act like they aren’t even there, that we are not being true. Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Secondly, we get to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ. God shares His heart with us, and we get to continue in the work that was why Jesus came in the first place. He says in Matthew 15:24, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then, in Matthew 18:12, we learn how the Good Shepherd leaves the 99, and goes after the 1 that fell into the pit. Jesus sets the example for us to follow. Just as He rescued us, He left the 99 to come and get us when we were that “one” who fell into the pit. He picked us up, and carried us on His back. We are to do the same. We are to be extensions of Christ’s love. We don’t know how, why, how long, or a person’s mental or physical state. People always make assumptions and always assume that there was “some” way out, but that is not always the case. People assume that everyone who is homeless has a substance abuse problem or is a drunk, and that is not always true either. We don’t know who is out there or why. It is not for us to judge. But if we say we are true followers of Jesus Christ, then we would gladly open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow God’s lovingkindness to flow through us. It could even be an anointed smile or warm hug, or an encouraging hello. Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)
We never know when that could be Jesus that we are rejecting or that we are shrugging off.
Thirdly, the Bible clearly states in John 13:35 that people will know that we are Christians by the love that we SHOW. It is a fight to get off of the street once you are there for some time. At the same time, on the street, it’s a fight to find rest, peace of mind, comfort, and you don’t get used to it. The population that we serve are STREET homeless people, who “life” has beat down. You don’t want to bombard them by shoving a tract in their face and saying “God bless you!” and then sending them on their “merry way.” NO. That is not how it works. Just like you can’t come to church and sing songs, and then turn around and talk bad about someone or gossip. There is much death on your lips. We are called to be an Extension by the Love that we show.
Don’t Walk By is non-evangelical. As Juan Galloway says, “Put your Romans Road away!” Not to say that there is anything wrong with that. As a matter of fact, a great resource for evangelism and training is http://www.AboutEvangelism.com. I definitely recommend that every person check it out. But there is a time and a place to use that. And you have to pray that the LORD will direct your paths, and show you when the time is appropriate. On the street, oftentimes, these people might not receive that. Know because I am telling you, they have been “approached” by all walks of life, promising help, including “false prophets,” only to be deceived. So they are very cautious.
This population has to be able to trust you, to get up off the street, or even to receive the love that you are showing. As with most people involved in any type of street life, they trust what they can instinctively FEEL, positively and negatively.
Fourth, we are not there to convert or condemn. Paul said in Romans 2:4 that it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance. Don’t get involved in theological debates. And never argue. About anything. 2Timothy 2:23-24 says, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Jesus is the Messiah. He is a Great King. Yet, He made Himself of no reputation. Are we greater then He? NO. So don’t walk around like you are better, and don’t judge. Right, wrong, or indifferent. We all fall short. Romans 3:10 says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
So, on July 25, I hope that you will join me and countless others to pray and comb the streets of this City, proclaiming the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ by the kindness that we show (that flows through us supernaturally by way of the Holy Spirit), and expecting nothing short of a Miracle in the lives of our brothers and sisters living on the street. I am super excited because I know that the foundations of this earth are gonna tremble and shake as we join with the angels and rejoice that another soul has been brought into the Kingdom!
Lemonade
