What are we doing here?

2009-07-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

That has been the thought that perpetually returns to me since

my husband and I agreed to be "neighborhood coordinators" in a

Reseda community. All I know is that every time I heard mention

this notion of taking thechurch to the streets in an authentic non-

religious way I got really excited and knew I wanted to be a part

of it, but now that we are in Phase three of Mission:Reseda, I am

wondering if we doing anything at all? It never fails though, after

some event or small move on our parts to reach into that black hole

of isolated humanity, I can't help feeling like oh, so this is why we

are on this earth - to connect! Why is it so hard then? My temptation

is always to retreat to my personal comfort zone so frankly I don't

blame people for being curt and rude and suspicious when we come

to their door to say hi or offer them something for free. It's easier

sometimes to just stay isolated than let people in and risk discovering

they don't really want to know me, they just have a quota,an agenda.

Who really does this anyway- reach out to strangers just because? This

quest for sharing God's love like Jesus did, in relationship, sure seems

awkward and unnatural for me. God is proving to me once again that

I can't pave this road. I need to follow this slow, unpredictable and

seemingly foolish path he sets before me all the while looking for

him in it and trusting he's there when I can't see the point? None of

this really makes sense still, but I know God is rich and thick in the

midst of these attempts. I feel it every time we make that connection

with someone. How can I argue that it's not worth it if just one person

is really seen? That's what I want anyway, for people to really see me

and hopefully see Jesus because of it.

Signed one perpetually enduring- Nadine Erickson

7/11/09

by Valley Vineyard