Jesus in Skin

Okay, I'm beyond the point of apologizing, but the past few days have been a complete blur...and once again I've been predictably absent from the blog-sphere world. (Kudos to all you who can be consistent in bringing the dialogue of your life to the computer screen--can't you detect the jealousy in my tone!)

It's been an amazing week in the spiritual landscape of our community as we remembered the victims and so many families who suffered through hurricane Katrina just 1 year ago. I thought about the chaos in our own city and how we scrambled as a church to do whatever we could to help those in need. Going on little sleep and lots of caffeine, we worked 'round the clock at the New Orleans airport, tending to the needs of the helpless and critically sick. We transformed 2 of our church campuses into shelters and our Highland campus became a relief center where people could find a meal, some living necessities, and much needed peace.

In the middle of mass confusion, growing frustration, and unprecedented suffering, there was the church--not a building of bricks and mortar, but the living, breathing body of Christ. Lovers of Jesus from all over our state--and even country--came to roll up their sleeves and serve the hurting. We laid down our logos and our egos and joined together to become an army of healers, just like Christ intended for us to be. It's embarrassing to admit that it takes a terrible loss or tragedy to open our eyes and give us understanding. Sometimes we have to step into our worst moments in order to gain our best perspectives.

We learned that compassion has to be more than just words. It is something tangible--something visible. A blind man can see it, a deaf man can hear it, and a lost man can feel it!!! One year later, I prayer that our passion and our pulse is still beating for those in need. I read a scripture this morning that sums it up best: Isaiah 1 :17 says, "Learn to do good, seek justice, help the oppressed, defend the orphan, and fight for the rights of widows." What we should be doing is crystal clear, huh!