For Such a Time as This

The environment that currently exists in the homeless, homeless service provider, and funding community is nothing short of tragic and heartbreaking. Terms like recovery, self-sufficiency, independence, and personal responsibility have been replaced with terms like harm reduction, low-barrier, permanent housing, etc. As our standards have plummeted, so have the hopes and morale of the people these programs intend to serve.

As Christians, our salvation comes from a God who has overcome all of the baggage, sin, and shame we carry. When we are saved, we leave those things at His feet and we step forward into a new life focused on discovering and fulfilling our role in the work God is doing in the world. How, therefore, could our desire for the most vulnerable and hurting in our communities be anything else but that which we know to be transformational?

Christians, churches, and Christian service organizations do not often speak loudly on these issues, but they certainly participate in the work. In fact, church donations and volunteers from churches are often the main sources of support for service organizations. Further, religious people are statitistically known to give more in charitable contributions than non-religious people. They often give and volunteer quietly, as they give from a place of both obedience and compassion. As the leader of a Christian organization, I know that we could not do the work we do without the support of our local churches.

However, as we continue to witness the devastating trends in the world of homelessnes, addiction, and poverty, the need for Christians and churches to develop a new voice is becoming apparent. The homeless services organization I lead is a member of a network of over 300 organizations like ours across the country, many of whom operate in communities where we are one of the only (or the only) provider for gospel-based homeless and recovery programs. As the pressures from activists pushing dangerous policies and anti-Christian cultural trends surround us, we keep our heads down and focus on the work God has called us to do…but it can be a lonely place to be. This is why the local church is so critical.

Churches and Christian organizations may need to develop a new voice during this time as it relates to these issues. As we prepare for that, consider some lessons from the story of Esther:

She did not shout objections, she simply brought the truth to light. Esther knew the truth of the forces at work against her people and she delivered it to the right person at the right time.

She relied on the support of her church community through prayer and fasting to protect her when she spoke on their behalf. Esther knew that she could be killed if she approached the King without being invited. So she asked her people to pray and fast for three days before she went to him. The support of a community of believers around us- in prayer and spiritual connection- will provide guidance and protection, as we continue to develop our voice.

She used her position to strengthen God’s people. Esther was measured in her responses and sought wise counsel, and only acted when it was the right time. Because of this, her voice saved her people for generations to come.