"I'm tired. It's hot. Do we have to walk this far? Really?!" These are just some of the words heard from our team this morning. Yes, we were tired. Yes, it was pretty hot outside. And yes, we walked in the heat for about 6 miles today. It's amazing that ways we were tempted and gave into the complains and whines about being uncomfortable. It's just so much easier to serve God with a well rested and comfortable body. It's easy to have a full stomach and then tell people about Jesus. It's easy when life is good and you can have it your way (like Subway!). But what happens when Mom and Dad get a divorce? What about when you get kicked off the football team? How can you share Christ when life is full of unexpected obstacles and struggles? Today, we experienced a little taste of this struggle...being uncomfortable yet still loving and reaching out to others. But there we were, in the heat, expected to engage in conversations with complete strangers about the saving grace of Jesus. It wasn't easy, and it did make us feel very intrusive and not so...uh, cozy. Some of the conversations went rather well as our team was able to listen and pray with various people relaxing at the beach. For others of us, the conversations did not go very well, as they experienced rejection and even embarrassment from others.
We began to relate to many of the people of Chicago who are forced to simply walk everywhere, no matter the weather, because of a lack of money for transportation. We walked about 3 miles to get to the beach and 3 miles back, in order to share with the people there about Jesus Christ. There are many families here that have to do this on a regular basis, just because they can't afford transportation. We also became very thankful for the fact that we are able to simply walk. We gave God all of the glory for the gift of life and the gift of using our legs! May we walk for the glory of God.
We also began to related to Jesus and the way He experienced such rejection from strangers but also His friends. It just hurts when you are rejected!
Our time together tonight was very special. One by one, we stood up and encouraged another person on the team, explaining just how we saw him/her growing spiritually and overcoming fears on this trip. The time was filled with words that were uplifting, binding, and brought smiles to our faces. "You are becoming a man of God, and I respect you so much...I am proud of the way that you spoke to that woman all by yourself...You are truly a girl of gentleness yet so much strength..."
The church was at work today in 3 very important, yet different ways. We began our day listening and leaning on our Savior. We spent our afternoon, on mission, sharing the gospel with others. We spent our evening edifying and encouraging the body of Christ. Worship. Mission. Community. That is what being a part of the body of Christ is all about!