Hope through Christian Service - 21 February 2007

I am reading a book entitled “Cutting Edge” by an Australian called John Smith. He is an inspiring character, who has brought the gospel to people through word and action in prisons, “Hells Angel” biker groups and amongst disenfranchised aboriginals.
He says in his opening chapter:
“How can we call ourselves Christians and not expect to be on the edge. Jesus is still on the edge. His Spirit lives with those on the rubbish dumps of Manila and Mexico City, with refugees fleeing war and famine, with HIV carriers, with abused children and lonely widows. He is with them all – with us all. And when pray ”Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done” we are committing ourselves to living on the edge with the poor, despised, hurting people of the earth.”
And surely that is where the Christian Life is exciting! By engaging with Jesus’ challenge, we experience the power of him working in us, and seeing His Kingdom Come. The Lord’s hopes becomes our hopes. We are lifted from our own selfish desires, and have a Divine agenda.
I think it would give me hope if I could live like that. My hope is that I’ll live a bit closer to the “cutting edge”.