Outreach

Here is something that bothered me last night. I meant to write this on here last night, but didn't get home till later and by the time I was home, I was exhausted from another long day.

I guess you could call it a pet-peeve of mine with "religion". And I don't even like to use the word "religion" because I don't feel I have a religion, I have a relationship. But most see it as what religion you are or what not. So I'll just use that word. So here is my pet-peeve.

Outreach. What does that mean? And how is suppose to do it? I have many thoughts about this area, probably not what most would agree with, and I'm OK with that. Because what I believe, is in my heart, and I know that God has given me this passion on outreach.

Outreach to me, means reaching out to those in need. Now when I say "in need" I don't mean those that are homeless on the streets. Sure, that is part of it, but to people who have struggles with finances, with relationships, with housing, with medical problems. So on. My heart has been called to "outreach" to those people, to seek them out and build a relationship with these people, maybe be people I know very well, or it may be people I met only once. It might be my neighbor, it might be someone far far away. Either way, I feel it my heart to outreach.
But here is my pet-peeve...why WAIT to outreach to someone. Meaning, so many times people think that the CHURCH need to outreach to people. Why? Who says the church has to do anything? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GO DO IT?! Why do we have to wait for the church to create a "program" so that we can then outreach. I'm sorry, but nothing is stopping me from outreaching to those that I feel called to outreach to. If you have kids in your neighborhood that you want to "outreach to", DO IT? Why wait until there is something called "VBS" at your local church in the summer to go do it? If you have a neighbor who you just found out was a Buddhist, why wait for the church to come up with something to outreach to Buddhist, NO, you outreach to them on your own. The church does play a role in this, YES! To me, that is EQUIPPING YOU! The church is there for you to equip you and give you the knowledge so that when you HAVE those opportunities to "outreach" you do it!
Outreach is an EVERYDAY thing, not just an "event". I feel outreach is to my co-workers in the secular world. It's to the lady at subway who makes my sandwich every time I go in (who now has it memorized what I get and starts making it as soon as I walk in the door). :) see... RIGHT THERE...I'm BUILDING a relationship with this and when God gives the right time, I simple outreach to that person in normal every day life!
I struggle so much with this one, because I just don't understand why people have to wait for the church to do things. JUST DO IT. No where in the Bible (to my knowledge) does it say that "the church", "the church", "the church" does this or this...YOU ARE THE CHURCH...so do it!
If you have a neighbor or a friend who needs help because they are laid up or without work, o goodness, yeah, it's nice to come to the church to ask what to do...but why EXPECT the church to do something? Aren't you apart of the church? I sure hope so, so than wouldn't that be YOU doing something? If you can't do it all to help this person, bring along your other church friends and do it together...that right there is an INCREDIBLE OUTREACH!

The church isn't stopping you from doing anything...you are stopping yourself!
Ask God where you can be used, and HE WILL show you. Please don't wait for an event or activity to then find that as a way to outreach...those are just tools to help you. Don't use it as the ONLY way!

O Lord Jesus, this is heavy on my heart today. I feel like crying out and asking why so many people live in a way that is in a box and stuck on what they desire, but don't look to what they can do. I know their intentions are there, but Lord, I just pray that these people can see YOU in all areas, not just in programs. I don't like that people get frustrated with "the church" not doing anything, but are they doing anything to help that? I hate that I feel they are using the church as a crutch, or an excuse for them not doing anything! I pray people would just do it...I pray that you would work in peoples lives to see it as an everyday ministry! Lord, take this weight I feel about this and just carry it for me. thank you for what you've laid on my heart and I thank you for giving me the heart to help people. I pray that you continue to show me ways in which I can be used, big or small. It's a scary thing, but I'm so excited for what you can do through me! Ah Lord, take this weight.