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| Crenshaw |
My heart is to love my city. Lately, I have been really wondering how do I love my city for reals? How do I make a difference? What practically can I do? I’ve been inspired by simple ideas that are making a difference, such as The Giving Keys or Dressember. Is there something I can do?
Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend a conference at West Angeles Cathedral called TogetherLA. The Church (meaning the larger Body of Christ) in LA coming together to address the needs in our great city. Black, White, Brown, Yellow. Worshipping together, strategizing together, working together, relating together, fighting together, loving together, standing together, laughing together, facing fear together…oh my. Powerful.
This question haunted me. If my church/organization was to burn down, would my community even notice? I took the question one step further and personalized it. If something was to happen to me, would my community even blink an eye? Probably not. I want to change that.
There is a mostly white church in Paramount that began transforming their community through prayer and painting. Did you know painting is spiritual? The city approached them to ask for help in painting houses. The church took up the challenge, not even knowing really how to paint houses. It’s lifted Paramount out of the dregs. Seems simple, doesn’t it? As the church was praying, they felt led to begin to help the mostly black church in Compton do the same. We all know Compton’s reputation. However, churches are coming together to lift Compton. This initiative is called JustDoGood. Completely inspiring, very practical and really very simple. Seems to be a theme, doesn’t it?
If we, as Christians, are not making a difference in our city, our ‘hood, our community, our block, then we are not adhering to the whole gospel. It’s not just about getting people saved and into our churches, though that’s important. It’s about getting people discipled and out into the community to make a difference!
What can I do? What am I passionate about? What do I love to do? I am challenged to do it.
What can you do? What are you passionate about? What do you love to do? Go do it!
meg on tap 