Isaiah 42:1-4
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope"
~Isaiah 42:1-4
Do not be discouraged
This spring, I have been reading through Isaiah and am riding the roller coaster of emotions throughout the book. Recently, I read Isaiah 42 and was struck by this image of what it means to be a follower of God. A little over a year ago I made the decision to move to Dorchester, and it's now been an amazing, but tough nine months since I've arrived. I'm starting to realize the commitment it takes to do ministry, especially in areas where there is great injustice. It can be tiring, and it can seem hopeless. I've known for years that this is the type of work that I want to spend my life doing- but this spring I have started to think through the cost. As God chastises His people for turning from His ways and for doing little more than praising him with their lips, I've had to ask myself "Am I in this for the long haul?" It takes a greater commitment than just my words. It's easy to say that I want to commit my life to the causes of the poor; it's harder to live out. I was reminded when reading this passage not to falter in this commitment and also that Christ is at work in our neighborhood. This can be hard to remember at times, as I spend my days behind the scenes of the ministry, and not on the front lines. I may not be the one in the streets, crying out on behalf of my friends and neighbors, but I will be faithful to the call of justice that God has put upon my life.
Summer Fun
Don't worry... I don't spend all my time being serious! I love summer in the city, and now that it's beautiful out again, I have an extra skip in my step. Our Executive Director recently shared a passage that he sees being lived out in our neighborhood, and it made my heart leap as I realized that it hit upon the many reasons that I love this community. Zechariah 8:4-5 reads, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.'" I love being on the street, seeing our neighborhood youth having fun, with their parents and grandparents sitting out on their front porches, enjoying the day. It really is a beautiful image, and yet another reason why I love it here!
Pray for me!!
-I am moving! I have made a decision to move across the street from our ministry house with a group of young women. This is big commitment as it's a financial investment in our community. Pray for the transition as I move onto the street where I work. Please also pray that I meet my financial support goal as I take on this additional expense. I am stepping out in faith!
- Pray for our summer staff, and that the course of their lives would be radically changed as they experience God's heart for the city.
-Pray for a safe summer for our youth and our staff.
