As a first responder in Albuquerque I get to see the realities of this city in a different way than most. There are heart wrenching stories of addiction, poverty, violence and death, which we all know exist to some extent. But, it is different to experience these up close and personal weekly.  When I am at work, I see people on some of the worst days of their lives.  Although I consider this a privilege, over time it begins to take a toll on one’s attitude. One of the most common calls that we receive, especially in the neighborhood of City Pres, is a “down and out”.  This is a person who is intoxicated and/or on drugs, passed out on the sidewalk. The Fire Department runs at least 50 of these calls everyday throughout the city. Add in all of the assaults, shootings, stabbings, a variety of medical problems, and it becomes an emotionally draining day. The majority of the department has a very jaded and cynical attitude towards most people we come into contact within the city. It is very hard to not fall into the mindset of “just another drunk”  or “these people will never change,”  and stop caring for the emotional and spiritual need of these people.  

I see that it is just as easy to fall into this attitude within the church as well.  There is such an urgent need for Jesus in this city that it becomes overwhelming and easy to give up on people and our mission.  Justin talked about the church's role this week, is it mission or is it worship?  It is paramount that we cannot have one without the other.  We were put here on earth to do both of these things.  Ephesians 2:8-10 says:

 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”.

It is only by the grace of God that we have life eternal through Jesus.  We are a sinful people and we desperately need God’s grace in our lives.  It is freely given to us because of what Jesus did on the cross. This reality is a humbling and joyful gift, that should drive us to turn and praise the Lord.  But this praise is not just from our mouths, this worship is lived out in our actions. We were created to worship God by fulfilling our mission to Him. One example that Justin used was a sample cup of frozen yogurt.  We try all the of the options in these tiny cups, to find what we want to put in our big cup. Like the tiny sample cup we are the foretaste of Jesus to this city.  God does His work in us and through us.  People see His grace and love in the people of the Church.  This can become exhausting when I think about the brokenness and depravity that is just outside our doors.  My first reaction is to try and fix the whole problem, which leaves me stumbling to do anything tangible.  I quickly become unmotivated and the hope of the gospel for the city becomes muted. I have to be reminded that the fate of people's lives rests on God and God alone, He is the only one that can redeem us. But, it is my responsibility to show people love and to serve those that the Lord has put into my life.  This starts with my family, my church and this city.  These acts of service range from playing with my daughter, caring and providing for my wife, playing in the worship band at church, to actively helping those in need in our neighborhood. Tasks both big and small, but none more important than the other.  The important part is is that I do these things. It is easy to be apathetic in all these areas, but we are called to pour ourselves out, sacrificially.  We were not created to live in comfort our whole lives, but were made to be God’s workmanship. Serving the Lord is rarely convenient or easy,  it is often exhausting and uncomfortable. But our strength and motivation comes from God, He is the one that will see His plan through. We need to remember the grace we are given everyday,  and let that grace permeate every aspect of our lives.  

~Stephen Siebert