I had lunch with a guy named Scott Jones today. Some of you may know him. He is a man who has dedicated his life to serving and loving the city of Long Beach. He doesn't do this by serving at homeless shelters, or giving his money away to charities. He does it by creating a non-profit organization whose goal is to cultivate relationships with all of the different people and neighborhoods of Long Beach by throwing giant barbecues and breakfasts and other events all over the city, bringing people together into loving communities. He does this by greeting everyone he sees with a smile and an honest "How are you doing?" He does this by moving from Belmont Shore to downtown Long Beach in order to build loving relationships with his neighbors and to open up his home to anyone who needs a friend, a meal, a refuge, or just a good time. He does this by simply caring for the people around him, asking himself what they need, and doing what he can to provide it. He does it by meeting his mailman and offering him a cold drink on a hot day. It's not complicated.
I don't know what I mean for you to get out of that, but I know that if I want to show God's love, and have it change this city in crazy ways, I'm not going to do that from behind a glass counter. Scott certainly isn't.
www.welovelb.org.
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that was really cool mike. scott and others like him are taking risks, and not limiting themselves to conventional "service." this post is encouraging to think outside the box. great stuff man.
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