Incarnational Living
About two years ago while Michelle and I were still dating, we begin having conversations with our friends about what true community looked like. Even what would it look like if we were to be intentional about where we all purchased our homes and for everyone to buy homes in the same neighborhood. We were deep into the book by Shane Claiborne called, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. If you’ve never read it, I would encourage you to if following Jesus is what you’re all about. It will challenge you. We didn’t vibe with everything, but the concepts we definitely did.
Anyway, after the initial conversation with everyone began to boil down into who would actually be willing to do this, so far it’s only another couple, actually family, and us. I guess we’re not too surprised, but definitely saddened by the lack of boldness and missional spirit of our friends. But I guess we can understand their hesitation. The idea of moving to an under-resourced, run-down, poverty & problem stricken neighborhood would be enough to scare any one of us that have been well provided for in our lives. The realities of having to buy an old house with lots of issues that will provide never ending frustrations and the realities that break-ins could happen at any time. It doesn’t look much like the American Dream.
For Michelle and I, and our friends find truth and comfort that this is what God is calling us to or better yet, leading us into as we follow Him there. Jesus cared about the marginalized and the most vulnerable and spent His time in their presence. Why shouldn’t we? And not just from the outside or once a week or month. Trust me.. this is a constant challenge for us to orient our lives in this manner. It doesn’t come natural or easy for either of us.
Now to the present reality. A neighborhood has been selected. Our friends moved in almost immediately and have been there for over a year now. Michelle and I got married last summer and have been looking at houses and waiting for God to open the door of the one he’s prepared for us. We’ve look at probably 8 different places and all of them have been projects. But we’re learning that this is going to be part of the journey.
Last night we had dinner with these friends and spent time in the neighborhood. It was amazing to be able to sit on the porch and notice as others sat on theirs and families and people walking the neighborhood and stop along the way to visit with others. Kids running around and playing. Projects being worked on to keep the historic homes in order. Life being lived.
It felt right.
