groundZero's blog

Yesterday I experienced one of the most powerful church services I have ever been a part of. Now simply at the mention of a “powerful’ church service one probably begins to develop a certain mental image. One might picture healings of terminal illness, people rolling around on the floor, or countless other sights we automatically relate to a powerful church service. But none of these events occurred. At first glance it would have seemed to be just another church service. But let me paint a picture of this service for you. The congregation was nothing to look at. Their clothing was dirty and many people would flat out refuse to wear what they wore. To be honest some of them didn’t smell all that great either. In fact at one point while the preacher was speaking, one of the members of the congregation got up and shook his hand and began to talk to him in the middle of the message. It was the most unconventional, raw, and flat out strange church service I have ever been in. It was incredible! Now the dirty, unconvetional congregation I just described to you were homeless people who had been brought by bus from Providence. What made this service so powerful was the thick almost tangible love and hope that was so present in the place. All these people were going through situations and problems that make my problems look like a rain shower next to a category 5 hurricane. These are the kind of people the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with and talking with. These are the kinds of people Jesus would hang out with. It was so striking for me to see this. To be honest with you, my first thoughts when the man got up and began to hug and greet the preacher in the middle of his message were not about how awesome a moment it was. At first something rose up me and said what is he doing? You don’t do that in a church service! But that’s when the Holy Spirit hit me. Instantly it became a beautiful moment. Obviously this man was being affected by the love he experienced in this place. Obviously this man had received hope from his time spent in that church. There in that very unusual moment, I saw the church. There I saw what the message of Christ is all about. It’s not meant to be pretty. It’s not meant to be confined in strict regimented methods. But rather it’s a message of hope, and true unconditional love that has no end. It’s a message for the outcast. It’s a guiding light for those society has given up on and cast aside. It’s a message that says despite your failures, despite your shortcomings, you are welcome. The message of Christ is one of open arms. I pray God let me get dirty for you. Let me be one who is on the front lines. Let me be someone who gets out of the four walls of the church. Let me be someone who gets right in there with those who are hurting, those who are homeless, those who are hungry. Let love, compassion, and grace be my tools Lord. Let me use the blessings you have poured out on me to bless others. I’m done playing church Lord. I’m done being pretty. I want to get my hands dirty. Lord, just like Isaiah I cry out to you saying, here I am send me, here I am send me Lord! Don’t pass me by Lord. I don’t want to let my life go by without making a difference in the lives of others. I don’t want to be blessed Lord without being able to bless others. Lord I want to be a dirty christian.