As I mentioned last week, today I spent a few hours in downtown ABQ with 184 of my fellow United Methodist youth directors and youth. I didn't come up with an answer to what the homeless may or may not need, but I certainly saw Jesus today.

I saw Jesus in the hard work of the youth who had under an hour to set up a dining experience.
I saw Jesus in the willingness for the praise band to add singing members as they wanted to join in.
I saw Jesus in the last words of a homeless man, well the last notes as he sang "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
I saw Jesus in the group of people praying with and for a homeless woman.
I saw Jesus in the attitudes of the kids as we ran out of food.
I saw Jesus in the stories that were shared afterwards.
I saw Jesus as youth had it click for them that the homeless population of Albuquerque is filled with amazing and wonderful people.

It is amazing to see the change that happens when people realize that the bodies that roam the streets are not just bodies, they are people. I know that my parents helped me to understand that at an early age. Time spent on Thanksgiving day at Court Street UMC in Rockford feeding hundreds certainly made me understand who people really are. Time spent in Tennessee reaching out to those who were in physical, spiritual, social and emotional need taught me that I should appreciate everything that I have because it could disappear in an instant. Time spent here I have learned that I will always be learning as long as I am willing.

We served over 130 people today. Less than last year, but still a significant amount. God has blessed me with countless opportunities to be in the presence of Jesus. I think that from this day forward, I will be keeping track of ways I see Jesus. Of people that I catch glimpses of Jesus in, of situations where I know that Jesus is present. I think we miss out on these blessed moments sometimes because we just aren't looking. We get too caught up in our busy lives worrying about everything that could happen that we forget that God calls us beyond that. God calls us into fellowship with him not to make us busy, but to give us a peace that transcends all understanding. I've had that peace today, and it is more wonderful than I could ever imagine. (Thanks to my friend Tara for inspiring just about all of this last paragraph)

So how did you see Jesus today?

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 10:29 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.