The words of CHRIST, "Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto ME." shot like adrenaline into my spirit. I imagined my Saviors face upon Austin's, and with great delight I said, "Bro, I'll by you coffee, what do you want?" He replied "Something with a lot of caffeine." I came back with a Venti 4 shot in the dark with white mocha and cream, a drink that would give most people heart failure.
That is when I got to know him, Austin told me his story and his crazy lifestyle that mirrors those who live in third world countries. He told me why he had a leg brace, and that his shoulder was separated. Overwhelmed by compassion, and distraught by his situation, I looked him dead in the eyes and said "are you hungry? Don't lie to me." Love him as the FATHER loves, where the words being pressed upon my heart.
The rest of the day I felt like it was my divine privilege to lavish every gift upon him, for it is our Father's kindness that leads us to repentance. We made plans to go to church that evening, I picked him up. (He told me later that he thought I was a serial killer. I chuckled and said, "In a way I am, You have encountered the cross and died to yourself.")
The Transformation was crazy. It was so sovereign, so divine, so quick, and so thorough that no one besides Jesus can take credit for it. All I did was obey. Jesus set him free! He healed his leg, his shoulder, his relationships with his family. He was completely and instantly liberated from his drug addiction, and made a sober decision to follow JESUS after we clearly explained the cost. He told me, "I feel lighter, a huge load has been taken off of my shoulders and I can think clearly now." also my personal favorite. "Dude, if GOD is a drug I am probably drunk."
JESUS shattered every preconceived notion of discipleship in my mind. Instead being the guy who says "read this, do that and we will get coffee next week so we can talk about it" I just lived with him. Like JESUS did it. No formula, just hearing and obeying, keeping my eyes upon the FATHER and watching what HE is doing. Let me tell you, there is no greater pleasure than being a marionette for POPS. Relying heavily upon HIS grace to keep and draw me near.
Austin was looking for a job, but it is impossible to make a good impression if you have worn the same clothes for 2 months strait. My brother, was lead to buy him a new wardrobe. We walked into Old Navy and the shopping spree began. An hour, and over a 100 dollars later He left looking and feeling like a different person.
When Austin said, "All of this because I asked for a dollar." I was struck by the goodness of our FATHER. HIS kindness greatly surpasses ours, it is his desire that we would flourish, thrive, and be blessed. I thought, what if I asked GOD for a dollar. haha. It is his burning desire and his nature to give us every good gift, more than we could hope or dare to ask. I am not above HIS charity. If we ask for a loaf of bread will HE give us a scorpion? How much more will he give HIS spirit to those who ask of HIM.
I am at a place right now where nothing else matters, the words of Paul, "having nothing yet possessing everything" have gripped my spirit. Nothing else matters, I am content monetarily, even at near minimum wage. I want nothing else than for HIM to dwell richly inside of me. We have hope, life, grace, peace, joy and love. May YOU awaken my understanding even more, Dwell inside or me, My wealth is in you, and I have more to give than the gates foundation... grace to obey and give your love away :)
love you DADDY
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
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