Paul S. Belcher – August 24, 2024
Ever since the first time I saw someone leave this ministry before successfully graduating, it breaks my heart each time. A person might leave after only being here one day or even just overnight. One might leave after a very short time. I've seen someone leave after an extended time, but did not complete the requirements to graduate. A few have left (and even graduated) and then complained on social media about everything we do. We’ve been accused of everything from being slave drivers to being cult leaders. The haters will hate no matter what we do or don’t do.
However, I will still keep them in my prayers and pray for their success in life whether that is another program or just making better choices in life enough to be successful without a program. Maybe we weren’t the right place for them. But I never understand what is to be gained by their choice to condemn those who did their very best to help them. They don’t know the sacrifices and cost it took initially and ongoing to provide a free safe environment for them so they could have the opportunity to put the past behind them, grow in Christ, and leave in a successful manner with a brighter future ahead.
After almost 4 years of seeing this repeated scenario, maybe my heart’s been a little more hardened to it, but honestly it still breaks my heart each time. I wonder if this is the last chance that person will have. I pray not, but the truth is… there have been those who left here and in a short time were dead from an overdose or some other cause that could have been prevented by just doing the simple concepts we teach as STAY, PRAY, OBEY, GROW, and CHANGE. Hearing about those individuals who no longer have a chance in life most definitely makes me break down and cry inside (even if not openly.)
But there have been plenty of success stories too. I choose to focus on those and know that even if we only ever helped one soul, that is Jesus’ heart, and it would still be worth it all. He would have gone through everything He did on earth, including a horrendous death on the cross, and rising again if it had only been just one of us. So, that’s how we need to think and that’s the kind of love we need to show for each person who comes through our doors.
I’m reminded of these verses. These need to be our focus for reaching new souls, loving them with the love of our Savior (just as we were loved) and doing everything we can to encourage them, being patient and forgiving. While that doesn’t mean allowing someone to just do whatever they please, it does mean lovingly leading them to make the right choices that will put them on a better path in life.
Psalm 82:3-4 “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This concept is also emphasized in Psalm 41:1, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:6-7, and many others.
I am also reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:37-40:
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
And these verses remind us that no matter how it is received or rejected, as Christians we are to continue showing the love of God to every person who walks through our doors (just as if he or she was the only one Jesus died for.)
1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 John 3:16-18 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
There are a lot of reasons why someone may choose to leave a program and return to homelessness, addiction, or other poor life choices. But for any leader in this ministry, let’s always make sure our own unloving words or actions are not the deciding factor for any soul who leaves.
For anyone reading this who is not involved in this ministry, the concepts of loving others with the love of God, no matter what… is still a vital concept to apply in any work you do. The needs out there are great. As a ministry, we certainly can’t reach everyone, but if every individual who loves God would reach even one other soul for His kingdom… we can definitely make a difference in the world around us. What if we each reached 2, 4, 8, etc. ?
Matthew 9:36-38 “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is great, but the workers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Blessings🦅
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