Create More

Yesterday was another great day on the journey. Jess and I had the chance to serve persons who truly would be categorized as Amazing. One Voice Nation recently partnered with the Building and Restoring Hope to provide

a Bible study for their participants. Now when the owner first approached us to lead the bible study, I was excited to be used and immediately said yes but then she went on to share that unfortunately other faith based leaders turned down her offer to teach there because of the population she works with.

You see many of the persons that attend the program have intellectual, physical/emotional disabilities, low attention spans, and are not receptive to outsiders or Christian teaching. As a result, many of the persons approached to lead, turned down the request because “a bible study for them would be a waste of time.”

So naturally, my response when I heard that my audience could be combative, non-responsive, and disconnected was “Great”! Even though I was not the first choice, I was humbled that they thought I could do the job. As I read the scriptures of Jesus journey on earth it seems that he too was not people’s first choice and many of them were non-receptive. As a matter of fact, just like Christ, I don’t think I have ever taught where there were not some persons who fit the qualifications to be participants with Building and Restoring Hope (Including me). So I prayed and got ready to go teach the best bible study ever done.

However, instead of wowing them with my knowledge of the bible (which my seminary professor said is not really that impressive), what I got was an opportunity to learn. For example, during one of my post- teaching discussions, I had the chance to have a powerful conversation with a 64 year old participant named Roy who felt like sharing what my life is really meant to accomplish. I have to admit, that though he was there because of his intellectual and emotional disabilities, Roy was dead on. The mild mannered man possessed a lifetime of wisdom and experiences and all he needed was a willing student to sit and listen. One thing he said as I read one of his three published books (yes! Roy is a published Author) was “Those that have more must create more.” He then challenged me to give him everything I had and watch how God would replace it with better and more (LOL). Did I mention he was also a comedian? Jess and I was blown away!!! Check out her blog at JessInTime and read how times with these anointed people continue to shape our hearts.

So the next time someone asks you to do something that seems to be a waste of time, I want to encourage you to fight through that feeling and do it. Perhaps, just like me, you will receive more than you could ask for or imagine.