Look me in the eye

Tonight I helped out with Agape Meal, a meal that FBC provides one a month to the community. It is a pretty amazing ministry. FBC uses the "good dishes" if you will, they put their aprons on, members of the church cook the meal, set the tables like a fine restaurant, provide a host at each table and then at 6:00 pm the doors are open and the kingdom guests are welcomed in with smiles, hugs, and hello's.

All ages participate in eating the meal as well as preparing it. When you stand at the back of the room you hear conversations about all topics: ailing knees, addictions, the war, who stole who's ID, waco happenings, etc. It is beautiful to see class systems merging, the rich and poor talking one to another, people of all backgrounds exchanging stories and experiences while feasting! For me, it is like seeing hope with skin on.

Tonight one of the FBC church members shared the story of Zaccheaus. At one point he emphasized particularly when Jesus looked up into the tree and saw Zaccheaus. He asked us to think about that moment -- when they looked into one another's eyes and Jesus knew Zaccheaus was searching for Him.

At Agape meal -- FBC folks that particpate in this ministry have grasped the significance of what Jesus did in this interaction. He did not pass Zaccheaus by, he looked into his eyes, asked him to come down, started the relationship by going to his house. FBC may not be going to these peoples' houses OR inviting them to their own BUT that may not be far from their future. The more they break through superficial conversation, looking into their eyes they realize that behind each person or stereotype is a story -- and possibly someone searching for HOPE...in fact most likely someone searching for HOPE.

As Christians I don't think we are revolutionary when we give Joe standing on the corner a $1. I think we are revolutionary when we look him in the eye and begin a conversation if he asks us a question, finding out his story.

This is scary because if we find out his story then we might feel obligated to help, if we find out his story then we are more involved then we wanted to be....... we are busy and need to get somewhere..... we don't have enough money to keep handing out every time someone needs something....

what if there is something else going on with Joe that is causing him to ask for a $1 on the corner?

what if you asked him to go in to taco C with you and share a meal?

I find in my job as a benevolence coordinator that sometimes I feel like I am perpetuating the problem for most people. I just handout never TRULY knowing how much I am helping that person and just having to take their word most of the time. But sometimes I feel that every time someone comes into my office a mysterious exchange takes place

Usually, people start with an abrupt approach of telling their crisis situation to me -- thinking they have to speak quickly to just get their handout because I am going to crank them in and out. But when I stop them by asking questions, looking them in the eye ....all of a sudden the story unfolds. Who knew that nonverbal communication would mean so much?

How we might change the face of Christianity for some and change some churches from the inside out that we never thought would change...... if we only practiced the art of listening intently and treating otherse with as much intentionality as Jesus did with Zaccheaus.