C.

I never doubt the work we do is important and impactful. Still, it’s always nice to get reminded of that in a specific and personal way.

We met C. in 2016, when she entered Cody as a ninth grader. She was a basketball player and regular 707 attendee. It’s fair to say that C. was a challenge – we loved her and were frustrated with her, sometimes at the same time! I hadn’t seen C. since early 2020 and missed her graduation due to Covid restrictions. A few weeks ago, she returned for a Cody football game. It was so good to see her and hear her voice! She went to college for a bit, then went through a couple jobs. And I saw her just before she headed to boot camp with the National Guard. She is a grown-up now.

After catching up on all that, she told me that she has begun walking with the Lord, reading her Bible, and praying. I asked what made her decide and she told me that she felt despair and knew she could not do life on her own. She thanked Oak Pointe Church for walking alongside her during some turbulent times through high school.

If you knew the student, you would understand why her comments brought tears to my eyes.

“Affluence of choice expresses our wealth more than anything else.”

As I have worked with and gotten to know many poor and homeless, I have come to realize the truth in this statement.

I was recently asked to briefly address a group that collected a large number of hygiene supplies for Cody high school students. It struck me that when I need something I go buy it. And in many cases, if I want something, I go buy it. Many of the students and families in the Cody community do not have that luxury. One student joined us for a weekly lunch and said she hadn’t eaten for two days (aside from what was served at school.) Her mom was waiting for the first of the month to receive her bridge card.

It’s not just choice about how to prioritize spending; it’s about making life choices. But for many of our students, their exposure to options is limited. One of our goals is to introduce students to various education, career, and living experiences. It isn’t our job to decide for the students, but we can help them to see what the possibilities are. The hope is that they will eventually better understand that they can pursue their dreams and more easily become who God wants them to be.

Especially during the holiday season, I encourage you to reflect on this statement.

As I was preparing for a presentation, I came across this quote — “In this life, we can only do a few things really well; I think it’s a good idea to make certain that one of those things is what Jesus says is most important.” What Jesus says is most important is to love God and love our neighbors.

This quote challenges me to make sure that I am paying attention to, and loving, my neighbors. And my neighbors are everyone that I meet. It’s easy for me to be so task-oriented that I lose sight of cultivating and enhancing personal relationships. While tasks are important, it’s especially important to be aware of and invest in the people around me.

God doesn’t really ask all that much of me – love Him and love my neighbor. It’s simple, it’s just not always easy.

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Thinking of others and doing for others is not an event. It’s a lifestyle. There are many places in the Bible that refer to serving one another. When it’s convenient, it’s not really that difficult. But how often and how much do we sacrificially put others above ourselves? Where does being a good steward of our resources (including time) fit with taking care of ourselves and our responsibilities and also serving others?

Serving others can take many forms, and it will often depend on our gifts, skills, experiences, and abilities. But we should be in a posture of considering others at least as much as ourselves. How often have you heard and felt that it is better to give than to receive? We can believe it, but it’s better to act on it.

I am thankful that Jesus put everything on the line for us!

Everybody should serve somewhere. Matthew 28:19 says, in part, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….” A key word is go. We don’t make disciples by only interacting with believers. We need to intentionally reach out to people. Usually, relationships are built before and while disciple-making really occurs. Relationships occur in so many settings in so many ways! Where are you going? Who are you investing in? God wants us to be active participants in building His kingdom, not passive observers. He doesn’t ask us to do it all, but He does tell us to do our part. Will you obey?

1 Thessalonians 16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The school year has just ended. I’m so thankful for all the great stories that have come out of it. Relationships have been developed and strengthened. The Cody Partnership team both gave and received well. We look forward to the next school year!

Summer, though, is not easy for many of the students we serve. We pray for their safety and that the difficulty of their circumstances does not cause them to make bad decisions or to lose hope. We pray that the care and attention they received from our Cody Partnership team is part of what carries them through.

We aren’t supposed to compare ourselves to others – there is always a way to find things that are better or worse than what we have. Instead of comparing, I am focusing on gratitude for what God has given me, how he has provided for me. I want to appreciate it and use it for good. And whatever God puts in front of me, whether I think it’s good or bad, I want to be attentive and appreciative. After all, if I wake up, I’ve got a chance.