2009 Theme at NLFW

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the external and internal factors that are in play when it comes to making NeighborLink exist. As you know NLFW only works if people actually take projects and complete them. It’s not successful if we’re just a landing zone for people’s needs and we “pray" about them and trusting that God will take care of them.

Now, prayer and trusting in God are a vital and even one of the key parts that make it all work. In and of ourselves taking on someone else’s brokenness or broken situation with the attempt to help them while dealing with our own junk is difficult. In many situations if our prayers for God to intervene on their behalf and our own behalf aren’t met then no one is able to put the pieces back together. So, without God orchestrating it all, we’re nothing and very few things would be transformed.

But throughout scripture Jesus is calling us to follow Him and make disciples and love those in need and care for the less fortunate and this and that. That all makes sense logically but what about practically right?

As I have been processing how the logically and practical side of NLFW works, I recognize the barriers to service and getting projects done.

Here is few:

Time restraints

Lacking resources

Who is going to help me?

What am I supposed to do?

I can’t do that by myself

I don’t know how to do that

I don’t know how to get started or use the website

I don’t want to call someone I don’t know

What happens if I’m not able to help them?

The toughest one for me: I’ll help if I have the time and if someone else it leading the project. I’m more of a helper.

These are just the ones that go through my head. I’m sure you have your own reasons and thoughts and insecurities.They aren’t all bad and are definitely valid. Serving someone else if difficult and not always the top thing on our list no matter how right we think it is.

I hope to address some of these things this year and talk about them. The over arching theme that is sticking in my mind for 2009 is the concept of bravery and being courageous.

We must be courageous in our walk with Christ. God sent his son before us to provide us with the way. There is nothing before us that Christ has not experienced and won’t step into. But, we must be courageous in our decisions and choices to go to the places and do the things that we’re afraid of.

Be Courageous…