Go Beyond

Moving in the direction of people in need. At its core, that’s what our annual Caring for Katy initiative is all about. Jesus showed the world what it means to intentionally move in the direction of people in need. He never shied away from messy and painful situations. Instead, Jesus moved toward people tangled up in webs of sin, imprisoned behind bars of hopelessness, and those struggling beneath the weight of heavy burdens.

As Christ-followers, we have a responsibility to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to offer those in need practical and meaningful demonstrations of God’s love. Mother Teresa often reminded her Missionaries of Charity to always look for Jesus in the distressing disguise of those in need. And then, to move in their direction and do for them what Jesus would do.

In order to follow the example of Jesus, we must first carefully look around us in order to identify needs. We must continually ask God to help us see our community with deeper insight and greater clarity. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Thoreau was absolutely right. It all begins with what we see.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite both “saw” the poor fellow that had been beaten and left for dead. However, when the good Samaritan “saw him, he felt compassion” (Lk. 10:33) — and that made all the difference. Seeing precedes compassion.

I am grateful for the people of Kingsland. Over the past several weeks, our small groups have identified needs in our community and discussed practical ways to meet those needs. Every year for the past nine years, we have closed the doors to the church on the Sunday before Spring Break in order to move in the direction of people in need. Instead of coming to church we go into the community to be the church.

Today, our people met a variety of needs throughout our community. I was especially moved as I watched one of our groups care for the practical needs of a family that had recently lost a child to cancer. This hurting family received some much-needed love and encouragement. And that is just one of many stories that unfolded as we moved in the direction of people in need.

What a huge blessing it was to see the people of Kingsland serving throughout our community today. Our folks served in more than forty initiatives, sowed seeds of love and encouragement, affirmed and prayed with hurting neighbors, and covered Katy with the soothing balm of God’s love. We look forward to how God will continue to work in the lives of those we served. And, we are committed to continuing to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Katy.

I am grateful to our army of volunteers for covering Katy with God’s love. This is our community. We live in this geographical context. We are responsible for caring for those around us. We embrace the privilege of following the example of Jesus and moving in the direction of those in need. Thanks once again, Kingsland family, for compassionately Caring for Katy.