Today, I learned about a really interesting ministry in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but at the same time I learned about this ministry bringing a sense of hope to people, I also learned of the people trying to steal that hope.
This ministry in Tulsa is a ministry that takes care of homeless people throughout the city. every Thursday night, Christians from all over Tulsa, regardless of denomination, go under a bridge downtown and serve the people who are experiencing homelessness. They serve them a meal, forge relationships, hand out clothes, give haircuts, and do many other things that people experiencing poverty have trouble finding access to. It's a great ministry that unites not only Christians, but also unites the city and the people living in different financial demographics. It's a pretty picture; however, to my surprise, I learned that for a while, the city was trying to erase this pretty picture.
I don't get why anyone would want to try to erase someone's hope who hardly has any hope left. I understand that providing help for those in need attracts more people who are in need, but I don't understand why that makes it a bad thing to help people. Why is it wrong to offer food and the essentials of life to someone who is down on their luck and truly needs just the basics of food and warmth. I don't understand what that has to do with politics, political sides, or being bad for a city, and it hurts my heart when I hear of people trying to discourage helping those who need help. After all, everyone needs help at some point in life.
As much as the city tried to steal a source of hope for people, it didn't. As much as this story of help trying to be stopped hurt me to hear, it didn't erase the hope I find in knowing this ministry is still doing its thing by the Grace of God. Don't let someone's hopelessness steal your hope, and don't let someone's burdening steal your helping.
-Cliff
Cliff's Note: Hope and help both start with H.