SUMMER 09' CHALLENGE

MAKING SUMMER 09’ PART OF YOUR FUTURE (post thoughts from Matthew 25 series at Westside)

What will your summer look like?

Will it look like Matthew 25:31-46?

Will there be someone you feed, give a drink to, go visit when sick (or down, depressed, hurting, alone), cloth when naked (or help with resources if they’re down), visit in prison (literally, or maybe someone who feels trapped by their past or fears).

What if we PRAYED something like this EVERYDAY from now till Labour Day:

Lord,
Make me open.
Open to the needs around me.
Open the hunger, thirst, sickness, nakedness, and imprisonment.
Open to my neighbours, friends, co-workers, family, or strangers.
May I respond when I see a need, serve someone as if I was serving you.
May I be your living and local presence this summer.
Amen

One day, standing before Jesus – as King and Judge – he will remind you about Summer 09’ – and you might say, but when Lord, did I feed you, give you a drink, have you over for coffee, help you out when you were poor, visited you when sick, send an email when I didn’t see you connected to the church for a while, come talk to you when no one else did. When? When? When did that happen?

You don’t have to go far to make that happen. Of course, it can happen with a stranger, but it can easily happen with someone in your own home, on your own street, in your address book or email list or church directory or office building.

In fact, it’s already happening (I’ve heard the stories):
…2 girls tried to help women in the strip club industry last week, then spontaneously got to know and prayed for a homeless man downtown.
…a dozen people delivered food to under-resourced families in the West Island last week-end.
…a few people prepared those food bags in advance a few days before.
…one girl is bringing aid and spiritual help to Cuba this week-end.
…one couple just returned from eastern Europe to discern the needs of orphans in that area
…someone made a phone call to a friend they haven’t seen in church for a while.
…a family stopped by a women in a wheel chair with MS and talked to her, and then prayer for her
…another person sat and listened to their neighbour share their recent struggle.
…people will be sharing their faith with co-workers this week

So… one day Jesus will remind us of Summer 09’ as the summer you and I did all those things to the least of those his brothers and sisters, because it was like – as if – just like – you did it – to him. That will be a really cool moment in the future that will reflect today.