"It's easy to cast stones. It's easy to point out the problems in the existing church. And it's just as east to pretend we're not a part of the problem." As I read the Barefoot Church I was brought to a point of conviction.
I also came up with my own it's easy.... it's easy to think you are doing everything you can to share who God is with those around you... but the point is you can always do more. We should never get comfortable.
Barefoot Church by Brandon Hatmaker inspires Christians to be a Catalyst for social renewal in any context. First it is important to know your context. Who are you surrounded with? Is it the Wall Street wonderboy? Is it your nosey neighbor? Is it the homeless man that holds the door at your local Dunkin Doughnuts?
To know your context you need to get out there. Talk to anyone and everyone. Be Barefoot. Brandon Hatmaker says in Barefoot Church, "Mother Teresa lived by a belief that there is physical, emotional, and spiritual need in every community. Need is everywhere, yet we too often fail to see it. If we don't see it, we won't be bothered by it. If we're not bothered by it, we won't engage it. By our neglect, we become the oppressor." So we should not convince ourselves to think that just because we don't physically see something that there is no need.
We need to do more then just feel bad we need to look for ways that we can be the church outside of the comfort of our four walls. Hatmaker states, "Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about. But, I'm afraid He would ask me the same question."
So I would like to ask you, "What are you doing?" Instead of Sympathizing, how are you turning that into action? Into Mercy? I want to encourage you this week to step out of your comfort zone a little and take some time to be Christ to someone else in a real tangible way.
