| | I think a large part of ministry involves initiating and just getting involved with ppl's lives...maybe that's why I have this reputation of being "busy" all the time...it's cuz I have too many ppl in my life and that I care too much. =p Had some unexpected hang out times this week with ppl I don't usually hang out with. Realized that when this happens, I need to:
#1 drop my agenda so I can make time for them and
#2 God's challenging me to love and listen to those who are totally different from me
One big lesson I've learned in seminary (as well as my ethnographic research in Thailand) is that everyone has a story, but we don't slow our lives down enough to listen and to care. I guess it was easy to find ppl in Thailand to interview cuz their lives aren't as fast-paced as here. There were plenty of women chilling at the marketplace that I developed friendships with. Ah, miss Chiang Mai.
Anyways, we're so quick to judge (usually on superficial terms) and then treat that person according to our assumptions. This week, I listened to two friends...and they shared their story. Surprisingly, both had sex and drugs as a part of their past...one even had some gangster connections. 10 years ago I probably would've been judgmental and legalistic and disassociate from "these ppl"...but now, I'm learning so much more about grace. Was I shocked to hear their story? No, not really...just glad that they trust me enough by being so vulnerable. The past is the past and now, we are all new creations in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17). As my circle of friends expand, God's bringing me into new territory and I'm glad for this challenge...grew up as a sheltered church kid, so I don't know nothing about the real deal. But glad I've assimilated into my "ghetto" environment and can code-switch easily...that is, shedding my academic vernacular and adopting ghetto talk so I can chill and kick it in my hood. =p
Yeah, I'm tired of sheltered-momma's boy-prayers (prayers that are safe to share)...what's really going on? Please don't hesitate to share with me...I'd love to pray for you.
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| | Posted 3/7/2009 2:04 AM - 11 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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