Hope For Change

“I want to change!” Rick said to me, his opening comments as he came back to talk.  “There is something about what’s happening here that maybe this is a place where I can actually hope for change.”  It was the fall Community Party sponsored by Northeast Bible Fellowship, last Thursday at McIlvain Recreation Center.  About 100 people showed up. There was plenty of food, games for the children, beautiful fall weather and a contagious spirit of joy that caught everyone present.

Rick has six children.  He struggles with alcohol addiction.  He also spent six years in juvenile prison.  He is an engaging man and I believe he is looking for a place to fit in.  For encouragement.  Someone to just listen for a while.  A place of hope.  Love.

There’s only One who can deliver all that.  But our Father God regularly uses us clay vessels to join with Him to deliver hope and love and community.  Rick had left the party and then returned.  He said his heart was churning to come back.  I prayed with him.  And we talked about getting our families together for dinner at his house in a week or two.

Mary was there with her two daughters.  She said she is afraid for their safety every day, as her six and eight year old girls played in the field in front of us with all the other children.  Jacquie said she wishes this kind of community event could happen all the time in this neighborhood.  LaShant wondered if we could help her run a block party on her street.

Refuge. Encouragement.  Community. Hope. Love.  Can our Father God really deliver all that?  Are we promising more than can actually be handed out?  Do I have faith to trust God to use me to deliver those precious goods?

Last Tuesday evening at our weekly community Bible study we looked at Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians where he said, “When I am weak, God is strong.”  I know I am too weak to provide such hope and love, even when I’m teamed up with the great folks who make up Northeast Bible Fellowship.  But our Father God is strong, very strong, infinitely strong.  And He loves all of us more than we’ll ever understand.  Because of His power and love people like Rick and Mary can have hope and peace.  And through faith in Him, I will be part of His love for them.