It is not a secret that in Phoenix Arizona it has become a little cold and wet. As I drive the street I can not ignore those who are walking around with large bags and some with baskets indicating their homelessness. It always make me wonder what made people come to the place they were at in the first place. Was it drugs, alcohol, divorce or some tragedy that has occurred to them. I know that in Phoenix there are programs and shelters that not only house but help those who are homeless get off the street. Sometimes I wonder if maybe those who are walking the streets have already tried so many time to get off that they just quit and accepted their transit living. Which brings me to the subject of this blog: What is the Christians role when seeing people like this walking the street? I get so guilty sometimes because I think that it is my responsibility to at least offer someone walking the street like that some shelter. Then I think of why are they not in a shelter or existing program already? I know that my family and the ministry supports programs like OCJ Kids which deals with Orphans, The Dream Center which has rescue missions, along side ministries and many others. So then why are these people not utilizing such resources. I know that in our fellowship when a family becomes homeless due to job or other situations my wife and I open our doors and home to them. We have had various families come in and out of our lives because of reasons like this. I believe this is where the Christian must shine through. No Christian family belonging to the Church of God should go homeless. Sometimess we get calls from families asking us for resources. One of the first questions I ask is do they belong to a fellowship or congregation. It is so surprising home almost 9 out of 10 say, "NO". When I ask them why not? There is always some reason they chose not to belong but have chose rather to ask from one. We have helped people like this also encouraging them to be part of a Christian Family.
Now back to those who are not. It is the Christian Fellowship or Congregation call to support local programs that help the homeless, the orphan and the widow. By doing this the burden is carried by the whole Christian Faith rather than the dependency or burden of just one. When a person on the street in encountered it is easy to direct someone to such a program. If they chose not to take the opportunity ones hands are clean. In order for our directing one to such a Homeless Mission it is important that we do not just give the burdens but help carry them. I thank God that our Mission helps and does just that and I can only pray that yours does likewise. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pastor Michael Salman
