the Cocaine corner
I’ve seen this corner in action more times than you can imagine, but this day, for whatever reason, it was extremely busy. Right there, in broad daylight, the buying and selling of cocaine was happening. There were no attempts to be secretive or discreet for those selling or for those buying. Men walked up, drove up on bikes or in a car, and did their exchange quickly, and then they were on their way. This went on for hours!
The only break in the action is when I heard some yelling in the street. It’s the alert system to shut things down when the cops are coming. The shouts came up the street one yell after another until they reached this corner. Immediately the activity shut down as everyone disappeared and the busy corner became silent for the next five minutes.
The reason I’m familiar with this corner is because it’s a place where we serve others. On a regular basis, we have the opportunity to partner with a local church that feeds children, helps mothers, and spends time simply living out the gospel. It’s a place where we have an opportunity to help point people to Jesus.
As you look at the picture of this street corner, what is unbelievable about this corner (and no, that’s not the actual corner for some obvious reasons) is the minimal distance between what they are doing and who we are helping. So, even though this is not the actual corner, I’m going to ask you to use your imagination a bit.
Think of it this way. Where we serve these kiddos and where the cocaine is dealt out, is just across the street. I’m not talking about an across-the-street scenario with a really wide street, with nice curbs, a patch of grass, and a yard as a buffer. Nope! I’m talking about the size a street if two cars can pass side by side, then you are lucky. In other words, I can clearly see what they are doing and they can clearly see what we are doing. I’m saying the kids walk by the cocaine corner to get to this church in mere seconds.
It’s super close!
As I’m standing there watching this activity and serving these kids through this local church, the words of Jesus come immediately to mind. You probably know them too.
14 “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house.
16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
In summary, when we follow Jesus, the light of Christ lives in us and through us. And here is the big AND. AND we take that light of Christ (His hope, His love, His mercy) and live it out in dark places and in very practical ways. For example, the hope of Christ is lived out in your integrity on your corporate leadership team. It’s lived out when you pray for someone you work out with at the gym who is just broken today. It’s even serving food to kids on a corner where cocaine is the everyday way of life.
Why? There are lots of reasons why, but what does Jesus say right here? Jesus says It’s so people can recognize and give honor to God! So people find hope in Christ!
My hope for you this week is the next time you see a street corner, wherever you live, two things will happen. One, is that you will pray for us! God has given us some huge opportunities to be light in some dark places to help point people to Jesus. Together, with your prayers and support, we are helping people know and experience Jesus.
Two, my hope is when you see your next street corner that you will also be reminded that you too are the light of the world. God wants to use you right where you are, (in that neighborhood, in that gym, on that campus, and in that corporate setting) to be the light of Christ. You can be the one who gives someone hope that may be walking in darkness.
~Steve
