“Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people.”
–1 John 2:2
“Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”
–Mark 16:15
I’ve never been good at numbers. Especially the big ones. “For all peoples,” for instance.
I can’t wrap my mind around that.
In Novo we’ve been leaning into three places we need to thrive as a follower of Jesus. The Cave (in private with God), the Table (in fellowship with believers), and the Road (being a light and witness to the world).*
The last few years since returning from Asia, I’ve spent a lot of time in the Cave. The holidays that capped off 2022 offered many Tables. So far in this new year, I’ve already been on many kinds of Roads.
Have you been paying attention to the roads you’ve been on?
A 5-Lane Freeway of an International Metropolis
As the year began, my family was having a cultural crash course in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Nine nights. Each in a different hotel. Husband Jim and grown son Tyler planned the packed schedule.
On the last night we traveled across Buenos Aires on a strip of highway we’d already driven more than once.
The highways of major cities are just about the same in every country.
As you drive, you pass blocks and blocks of apartment buildings.
We pass by not thinking that behind every window of every high rise there is a human, or humans.
Each has a story. Each wants to be seen. To be loved.
I can’t wrap my mind around the numbers of people God created, Jesus knows, and the Holy Spirit woos.
Lord, you know them. You know their story. What do they need from you right now?
I lean my heart in to listen and intercede.
The gospel is good news for all peoples.
I can’t wrap my mind around that.
On Cummings Road, the Largest Street in My Community
For four years now my husband Jim and I have been studying metropolitan Chattanooga.
Where is God at work? What are the needs here? Who has Kingdom influence? What and where are the strongholds?
“You know the story here Lord, and we want to join you in what you want to do here.”
We’ve been leaning in, learning, and listening.
Today I’m going to meet with a pastor in the community where we live: Lookout Valley.
He is excited to help me with adding to my private google map for virtual prayer walking.
For good, and for evil, places of influence are getting labeled and noted.
Lord, you know the Director of the Community Center.
The firemen who work in this Station Number 3.
The pastor here who condemns as liars any other pastors not using the King James Version.
Where the homeless camp out.
Troy has been a pastor in this community for 15 years. He has a missional heart and hands. He gets in the trenches with people and serves them. Still, neither of us can truly wrap our minds around the 6000 Lookout Valley Residents who God created, Jesus can heal and save, and the Holy Spirit woos.
The gospel good news is for all peoples, but 6000 is still a lot of people.
A Neighborhood Lane off Cummings Hwy
I am a few minutes early for the appointment with Troy, and I get out of my car. A rugged ragged man is walking by and we make eye contact.
I call out hello.
He asks for help.
I walk toward him.
I can wrap my mind around Glenn.
Right now, he’s sleeping in his out-of-gas car in front of a friend’s house.
I lean my heart in to listen and intercede.
His teeth were knocked out a few months ago.
Someone beat him up and stole his ID.
“Homeless Healthcare” has him on a waiting list.
It will probably be 3–4 months before he gets an appointment.
"Can I ask you a few personal questions?"
“What else do you think is keeping you from getting and keeping a job?”
I learn that his anxiety disorder makes it hard to work in a fast-paced setting with a lot of people. And yes, he drinks a little too much. A lot too much.
Yes, he knows who Jesus is and he believes.
No, he’s not prayed in a while. No, he has no church community.
I know a few other resources available to him and ask if he minds giving me his phone number. I put a comforting hand on Glenn’s shoulder and tell him what I sense Jesus wants to affirm in him today,
Glenn, you are an honest, earnest man. Jesus is proud of your grit to not give up.
Your humility in admitting weakness makes you more open to him.
There is always hope for healing when surrendered to Jesus.
Glenn, you would be welcomed in this church here.
We often have potlucks. No one would turn you away.
We don’t have a benevolence fund, I have no cash, and now I’m late for a meeting.
But I do know that within walking distance is an open cupboard.
It's our community pantry.
Can I give you a hug?
He hugs me back. I’ll text him in a few days and see where this goes.
~~~
We can learn about and pray for the macro view of this fallen planet, the “all peoples” around the globe. We can be aware of the masses who populate the high-rise housing in cities, or the other cars who are driving the world’s network of highways.
But Glenn, and other people I meet each week, remind me that while we pray for big movements, large numbers, and all peoples, we have to engage with and serve individuals. Our micro patch is where the rubber meets the road.
Pause to ask, from the mega highway to the side of the road, what might the Lord be prompting for you after reading today and seeing these images?
Have you identified with the Lord what your patch is? Where is he inviting you, assigning you, to take responsibility as a caretaker?
Who else needs an invitation to partner with you about this patch?
Bless you my friends as you travel your roads!
*For more information on Cave, Table Road, watch this video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=GKe0x3LEdGU&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In 1967 Kimberly Creasman gave her heart to Jesus. It’s been a lifelong love for people, creativity, and the Church around the world. From the very beginning she began growing with Jesus in word and deed, but only lately in the expectation of his gospel in power.
Kimberly is part of the Makers, an activation team. They are cross culturally seasoned Novo artists. From the cities around the world where they have served, they have been learning from each other and exploring new ways that God wants to apply creativity to gospel movements. Now they are a team! Their decades of working cross-culturally help them see nuances needed for the gospel in different cultural contexts. They travel to visit other teams to partner with them in creative ways, and Novo – Make New - together!