For By Grace.
There is something about Jesus and His grace and humility that I constantly am in awe of. Grace means undeserved favor—and Jesus embodied it with a kindness that still leaves me speechless.
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
As we press on through the work of the Beaver Dam Mission Center, I am humbled by those who have done life with so little. One gentleman we are working with has been on the streets for 24 years—not 24 hours, not 24 days—24 years. Couch surfing, staying in shelters until his time runs out, emergency hotels, and most recently, sleeping in a storage unit. His father died young, and his mother had very little. She suffered abuse from the men in her life, which deeply affected him. As you can imagine, his life has been beyond hard.
As believers, we are called to live a life of sacrifice. Instead of driving past people on the streets, God has put them on my heart to serve—not with leftovers or generics, but with dignity and love, as if they were my own family. If you read Scripture, this kind of care isn’t radical—it’s supposed to be normal for followers of Jesus.
It has been such a blessing for me to have conversations with these people. With every interaction, I feel closer to God. Serving this way humbles me. It’s like God meets me right there, in the grit and grace of it all. Their stories feel like scenes from a movie—beatings as children, people being sold to cover a bad debt, and more. These people have endured trauma, made mistakes, and still carry hope. And these are the people Jesus served—almost exclusively.
When you look for opportunities to serve, you’ll find them. And as you reach out your hand, you’ll be reminded of the grace that reached out to you.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Grace covers us all. Look past the sin. Look past the shame.
I’ve had people tell me they won’t give money to someone who’s asking for it. I’ve heard, “I'll give once, but not again,” or “They’ll just use it for booze or drugs.” Don’t underestimate the power of God when you give—whether it’s your money, your time, or your stuff. I’ve heard stories of addicts who received a few dollars from a Christian and felt so convicted they turned away from their plans and chose something better. God can use even the smallest gift in ways you’ll never see.
Give with your heart. Don’t look back. And if you give, give honestly. Share freely. Don’t hold back a portion while pretending to give your best.
I urge you—talk to the person panhandling on the street if you never have. Ask about their story. Share your faith. Don’t be ashamed. As the Lord reminded Joshua: Be strong and courageous.
If we follow God’s call in Scripture, we won’t go wrong.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full." (Luke 6:32–34)
I couldn’t be more excited for the doors God keeps opening for BDMC. I pray He continues to use me, and I’m willing to obey—no matter the cost.
We are just getting started.
