One of my favorite movies to watch is Grace Unplugged. A young woman has been singing in church with her dad most of her life. She’s got a great voice and goes to California to have her shot at fame. As she’s climbing the ladder to stardom, all the shiny lights distract her from Jesus. She must write a song for the record deal to go through. And nothin’. She’s got nothin’.
When she recognizes her life is stalling, because she put Jesus on a shelf, she prays for forgiveness. And Jesus forgives her. She goes back home, and she and her dad start touring for Jesus. The takeaway is she surrendered her life to Jesus and the peace she was searching for was found through relationship.
I’ve been attending meetings regarding homelessness for the last 20 years. I’ve listened to suggestions and heard plans that were determined to ‘fix the problem’ and to be honest, none of them have worked. Mostly because the approaches come from the standpoint of ‘fixing problems’ instead of ‘doing what’s in the best interest of the neighbor.’
We can stuff hundreds of people into apartment complexes and call the initiative a success. But when they give up and head back to the streets, we'll just pretend it didn't happen and still count all a success. Success is more than housing, it’s having something to look forward to and having people to look with you.
Yesterday at Isaiah’s I met with a woman who has struggled with alcohol all her life. She just got out of rehab and when I asked about her support system, she mentioned two friends, who love to drink. She lost her job while in rehab. She’s behind 2 months in rent, her car tag and insurance are due, her phone is about to be shut off, and she’s behind in utilities. She is also grieving the loss of her parents and sibling. She’s terrified about tomorrow.
To help her heal she needs more than financial help, but we are praying for funds to cover all her expenses. She needs a support system. People who’ll talk with her at 2am when she can’t sleep and she’s craving a vodka tonic. She needs to not live in isolation when her head is filled with guilt, shame, loss and regret. She needs to share a meal with people who care. She needs Jesus. She needs to know just because she messed up, we won't give up.
She needs healthy relationships, and this is what Isaiah’s offers. A small community of broken people who are working together in love and hope.
A pastor once told me, “I just don’t know how to sell Isaiah’s to our congregation.” Looking to sell us is the first misstep. Isaiah’s doesn’t fit in a box because we are a discipleship ministry. Walking with people on this journey of life can be arduous, boring, frustrating, and expensive. Which is why Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. If it’s hard, it’s gotta be really important.
Isaiah’s has neighbors who will never be self-sufficient. Meaning they will always need someone to journey alongside and remind them to eat, take a shower, take their meds, change their clothes, get some exercise, renew their mind, pay their bills. But, when they remember just part of it, it is a success to savor. The kicker is, we need to be with them every day.
Discipleship is a daily responsibility. Putting people in apartment complexes far from the advocates and care givers, they will fall through the cracks and disappear. No agency has enough trained, thoughtful, compassionate, experienced team members to touch base with those who will need it daily. Which is why Isaiah’s is advocating for the Church to step up.
For the 20 years of meetings, we still miss the main ingredient to helping our neighbors thrive, heal, hope and succeed.
It’s relationships.
We can do more. We can do better. Together.
LOVE GOES
Isaiah 58, In His service
