Anyone want a van?

A good friend of mine once said, "Most of us live one paycheck or one addiction away from poverty." I really agree with him. As many know, our friend Chris rolls around in a wheelchair and for a substantial time was living homeless. He now has a place down the street from us and is being partially subsidized by a church, but who knows how long that will last.

Anyways, a friend of a friend of a friend decided he really wants Chris to have this old van, fully set-up with handicap driving equipment. When he asked our opinion we said, "No, Chris has some other more pertinent needs right now." For example a job, more rent money, nice clothes so he can get an interview for a job, etc. Oh, and by the way, Chris doesn't have his driver's license (which would cost time and money to get) nor can he make his rent fully (so how will he pay for insurance or repairs?). But our brother is really adamant about this van getting into Chris's hands.

He called today to get Chris's number and see how he is doing. He asked if Chris needed anything. Another bro said, "Yeah, a friend."

"Why, is there something wrong?" the other brother shot back.

"No, it's just the holidays and he doesn't have any family, so he needs a friend."

I think this whole van situation is a great example of something we see fairly often amongst Christians. I genuinely believe this bro has a good heart and really wants to help, just as I believe many followers of Christ do. But if I were to offer any amount of advice, I think I would ask for a bit more humility. I say humility because many of those who want to help end up thinking they know exactly what the needs are without ever actually going to find out if they are correct or not. So gifts or donations are given, but the givers still end up far away from the receivers and really important needs may not be met (such as the need for love, affection, human proximity...sometimes people need people more than things). Or perhaps people do know what to give, but it is simply too much and they choose a road less difficult. The latter possibility is far more dangerous than the prior.

We as a community still have a lot of growing to do in this department, just as any would. But one thing I can say is we have at least reprioritized our lives to come near those we want to help. We are constantly being humbled by our neighbors and friends as we discover just how little we know and how we need to change. But through it all, we are now beginning to see what some of the truly important and crucial needs are.

And here's the greatest part: we who thought we were the sacrificial givers (and to a large extent we are) are actually the receivers. We are receiving great blessings, insights, and love from our neighbors and each other as we risk it all and humbly "find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10).

So get in there and ask. Let the voice of Jesus through those in need change us and show us how to affectionately care for each other. And Lord please keep all of us, especially me, from ever resorting to self-gratifying charity over denying ourselves and giving our lives as a sacrifice.