IF NOT NOW, WHEN? IF NOT US, THEN WHO?
Churches have these phrases; “outside of these walls”, “Beyond borders”, “the remote corners of the world”. I’ve seen them…
Change is possible. Recently I got back from Northern Thailand where we spent a good amount of time in these mountains and hills where there is nothing but fields of opium, corn, and rice. There are no malls, car dealers, five star chefs, and a/c. We went into this one hut where a lovely little lady sat on her bed, her husband was pacing in the background unsure, unsettled, and resistant to the idea of Jesus being in his house. The woman wore a rope necklace that resembled a promise of a witch doctor. This relationship was built on a lie. It was bondage. The agreement she made was that as long as she wore this necklace her physical ailments would leave her. And yet she was set on meeting Jesus. She became less interested in being cured and more interested in being healed. We welcomed her into the family as we laid hands on her and prayed.
As we finished praying her husband came forward and accepted Jesus, called his daughter in the room for prayer, and they demanded we cut this rope off the woman’s neck and take it out to destroy it. They wanted it burned to declare wherever there is light there cannot be darkness, and wherever there is freedom, there cannot be bondage.
Jesus reminded me that we just witnessed His power. The same power available there is available here. Our time is now, not because we are special but because change is possible. Jesus is all about change and freedom.
THE BIBLE SAYS IN AMOS – “DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT? JUSTICE, OCEANS OF IT, FAIRNESS, RIVERS OF IT. THIS IS WHAT I WANT, THIS IS ALL I WANT”.
So… If not now, when? If not us, then who?
You might be wondering what this has to do with you? You would have a hard time finding a single church in northern Thailand that doesn’t have an Eastside story behind it. So I want to let you know that every lighting cue, worship song, photo, graphic, video, and story told that would raise awareness and focus on Jesus WILL change the world.
Not that long ago slavery was legal, equality wasn’t accepted, and a wall in Germany came down by pickaxes, punching, kicking, and voices screaming “why not now”.
IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN? IF NOT US, THEN WHO?
If you come bearing a gift or talent to share, God will use it. Let’s pray that our answer is “right now! Use us!”
If you were inspired by this story, we would love to tell you more about Eastside. We have a relentless love and commitment for all to know God. We are committed to finding unique ways to serve in our local communities and help our global neighbors. If you would like to find out more about ways to make a difference in your community and around the globe, visit eastside.com/compassion.
We volunteer in local and global communities, and we also meet together every weekend if you would like to join us in person or online. We believe that this is a place for everyone, wherever you are on your journey. If you would like to find out more about Eastside, please visit eastside.com.