Because Slavery Sucks
Waiting Expectantly For God Isaiah 30:18

We’re about 40 minutes into audio of The Gutter by Craig Gross. Since I’m a writer and all, I’d like to cleverly articulate how hearing Gross’ story makes me feel, but really all I want to yell from the rooftops is, “YES!!!! YES!! Finally, somebody gets it. Somebody articulates how I’ve felt and have been feeling. Sign me up, when can I move to Vegas.” That’s my heart speaking. The truth is I know there’s a gutter right here in Little Rock. I don’t have to move to Vegas; it would just be cool to minister with such on-fire believers.

So what is it all about, anyway? Well, it’s about Matthew 28:19-20  

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” The Message

He said, “GO.” Not stay in your house and attend a church service on Sunday, then talk about how you’re doing in a small group and then serve at the church service and maybe go on a short term mission trip, then maybe a longer one then keep up this routine indefinitely and wonder why you’re uncomfortable. Well, maybe I’m just uncomfortable. I don’t want to sit and listen and not do. I am not a complacent person. I want to act on what I hear and really be in the place to love the unlovable, not just give food and clothing to organizations doing all the hard work.

I’m not judging; I haven’t done those things. I’ve scrapped around doing some things, but I haven’t done the things that Fireproof Ministries is doing; I’ve touched my foot in the gutter once or twice, but I’ve always come back to my comfortable house. But again, not comfortable for me, really. I’m restless these past months. I was restless before at my job, but I was thinking that what I needed to do was get out of working full time and be home. Being home is great, but I know I am called to teach my kids more about Jesus than the scenario just described above.

Jesus lived in the gutter. I’m convinced I’m not going to be satisfied until I get to live there too, with him. And with my family. There’s definitely more to life than this. I don’t want the American dream. God’s been moving me anyway to get rid of my stuff. A few months back, I cleaned out my closet. I have only 5 of each kind of clothing and now, that seems like a lot to me. Today, I cleaned out my storage bins which contain clothes for my baby when he reaches ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Yeah, lots of clothes. One, he’s a very picky dresser (already) and so I don’t really know what he’s going to choose to wear. Right now, he wears the same 2 shirts all the time. Literally, I wash and he puts one or the other right back on. Two, do I really need to keep everything? He only needs 3-4 shirts, pants, shorts, etc. too. And God will provide if we need more. Jesus specifically says not to worry about is clothing. Clothing! Can you believe it? We worry alot about clothing. Don’t tell my husband, but I’ve been helping him get rid of clothes too. Listen, he hasn’t worn that stuff in at least 5 years. He won’t miss it.

Matthew 6 ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

That’s pretty cut and dry. Back to The Gutter, one of the most striking things is that these two pastors (Christian-college trained and everything) defied all reason and precedent to minister to the exact people that need Jesus. He didn’t come to minister to the healthy, but the sick and hurting. It reminds me of Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love where he says most people think they’re called to minister to the rich. No doubt. Not me. I’ve always wanted to get down in the gutter and I’ve let the words and feelings of well-meaning people slow me down. My safety is God’s problem, not yours or even mine. If I can’t trust God to keep me safe in the gutter, than what can I trust him to do?

I also know that these guys aren’t the only ones living in the gutter, but I’ve read lots of stories and heard about lots of ministries, but I’ve never wanted to be a part of what someone was doing this much. There’s the Ragamuffins or the folks like Jesus House. I’m just not cool enough. I’m plain. I like Carrie Underwood. I enjoy Vin Diesel movies more than an independent any day. See what I mean? Yeah.