On the Margins

"Journeying with the marginalized of society, particularly the poor and homeless."

I've had a number of conversations lately about how we, as Christians, need to care for people. Who needs us the most? How do we care for others and show them our love? How are we ignoring them now? How do we develop real relationships with them? How should we suffer and sacrifice? What kind of effect will we have on others, on ourselves and for God?

Thanks in largest part to Abe, I've been walking down this road and growing in these matters for several years now and these questions are becoming increasingly important to me. However, I'm not a big fan of good ideas that merely exist in theory. I prefer to see how the rubber meets the road. Sure, we need to care for those in need but how do we do it in real life?

I have a list of ways that people can and are using to do just this.

• Nurse, possibly for a crisis centre. (Abe)
• Social Worker (Richard, E*)
• Lawyer
• Teacher, possibly for special education. (My mom, my sister)
• Counselour (Natalie Coles' goal.)
• Pastor (My dad, Leonard Terry)
• Missionary (My brother)
• Church Soup Kitchen (Previous Post: New Song Church)
• Communal Living (Dan's goal)
• Charities (Me with Big Brothers)
• Christian Business Owner
• Work for Non-Profits Organizations

It's easy enough to do most of these things without having any love for or impact on the people that live on the margins, but all of these things can be done for that very purpose. Some of these options have different effects on our personal lives, like bringing our families to foreign countries or becoming wealthy through business, but the same heart can speak through each role.

I was discussing this with Abe last week and he challenged me because it's easy to think that the best choice for me is the best choice for everyone. The plans that I have in my life will not work for everyone else, although my plan may work for a few people. Intentionally helping people through big business requires very different commitment, skill sets and resources than does becoming a social worker. And I remember that Richard spent an awfully long time working for very little in order to get into his chosen field of work and that would not be feasible for many other people.

The key isn't in the methods that we each use, though we probably do need to be creative and make a conscious effort in this regard. The key is that our hearts must follow after Jesus and join in a real way with others. We can come together, each in our own calling, and we can transform lives.