Every name has a story

I've been thinking about the poor and homeless lately. In fact, it's been brought to my mind more in the last 5 months than in the last 4-5 years. The other day, I tweeted, "Every name has a story, what's yours?" This was inspired by a picture I drew (a very poor picture, mind you) of a man who most would classify as a dirty, seen-better-days deadbeat.

God has been showing me that these people are precious to him and every single one of them has a story. God created all of us to live a story that is unique and extraordinary, and He made us to live that story with one another. Unfortunately, some have faced circumstances that have separated them from the community that God intends. Our society sees them as homeless, drug-addicted, prostitutes, drop-outs, or alcoholics - put on the outskirts of society. It was not meant to be this way.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to follow a strict code of laws and regulations to consider right before God. They could not be 'unclean' and allowed in the camp. They could become 'unclean' by burying the dead, women on their period, leprosy and various diseases. When the Israelites became 'unclean' they had to live outside the camp for a designated time, then they could enter the camp and make the sacrifice for their sin. When Christ came, he made us clean - washed away all the things that would put us outside of the camp. We are not to banish the 'unclean' of our society to live in isolation; they are made clean in Christ.

There are so many ways to start reaching out to those in our cities that have names and stories, but no one to share them with. Here's a few that God has brought to my attention over the past few months.

• Degage Ministries in Grand Rapids - Serves Lost Cost Meals to the poor and homeless in GR


• Food Pantry and TDT - Food pantry and free community meal offered by my home church


• CHIP Indy - Coalition to End Homelessness, Intervention and Prevention


• The Healing Center - A massive resource center that provide emotionally, spiritually, physically, and relationally to those in need


• Second Helpings - Recycles food from restaurants to provide ready-to-cook meals for non-profit organizations

Though these are organizations and church doing great things, it can be as simple as donating canned food. Tonight at the Hillsong United Concert, they're doing a canned good drive. Check it out here. These can be the starting steps to helping people, and eventually learning their stories and sharing your life with them.

Every name has a story, you know your own - but do you know theirs?