Well we are on to part two of our two part series on problems. Last week we discussed perceived problems, this week we discuss real problems. There are things in our lives that are real problems. Things that will and do impact how we live, and possibly even if we survive.
Obviously, the greatest problem that a person can have is not having a relationship with Christ. Many do not see that as a “real” problem, and probably do not even view it as a minor perceived problem. This is extremely sad, and ultimately it will become the greatest problem they have. As most people know, our view of Christ does not impact Him, yet our view of Him completely impacts us. His view of us is not changed by our actions either, as He loved us before we were even born, and died for our sins before we knew Him. AMAZING LOVE HOW CAN IT BE THAT MY KING WOULD DIE FOR ME? Amen.
With that said however, we want to focus on more earthly “real problems” today. Many, not all but many, of the real problems that we have stem from a lack of a quality relationship with God. Many times the problems are symptoms of our lost and/or rebellious nature. So, today we want to focus on various real problems that have a real impact on our earthly lives.
Many times these problems are the very things that keep people from developing a relationship with Christ because of the large amount of personal time and attention these problems consume. That is not to say that people with real problems are excused from developing a personal relationship with God, but many times until these problems are resolved people can not see God for who He is and can not see themselves for who they really are - lost and dying without Him. These problems are things like food (not to excess in either quality or quantity but to the point of being able to live), shelter (not in terms of size, location or quality, but in terms of mere existence), clothing (not in terms of being fashionable or trendy but in terms of being sufficient to protect us from the elements), and personal lifestyle issues (decisions on what we will do with the means and body that we have available to us). If we have problems in these areas, we have real problems. These problems can and many times do lead to our death and/or destruction.
Unfortunately, many times we ( Christians as a whole) are as callous in these areas as we are with the perceived problems we talked about in the last post. We look at the person with a problem and say “Well get over it.” We tell them to work harder, work smarter, live differently, act differently etc, but do not personally care enough to help them overcome the problem. Sometimes to really help the person it requires us to teach them better work, life, or personal habits and skills. The majority of the time our response is based on the fact that we are currently, or may never have been, in the circumstance the troubled person is in. With no basis for comparison we act callously. If the role was reversed we would likely be asking ourselves why this person that says they care so much is so unwilling to help.
This is not a ploy to say that we all need to take in five recovering crack addicts, two homeless people, and a non English speaker to prove we are Christians. Yet, we are convinced that like meeting people with perceived problems where they are, we need to meet people with real problems where they are as well. The real difference is with perceived problems we can allow the issue to languish a bit. When we meet up with a person with a real problem, we must meet them where they are and help them out of that situation quickly.
Time is of the essence when these things are occurring, and sometimes we can forget that. We think well we will help old so and so with such and such next week, yet they person may not be around next week if the problem is not resolved. Many times we simply need to be the bridge between a person and a individual or group that can help them. Most of the time there is already a ministry or program that exist to help the person, we just need to be timely in connecting the person and the need. Our job is to make the connection, and to do it quickly.
It is amazing how many times the jobs and experience of close family and friends can be extremely useful in doing this. A friend that is a state social worker can tell someone who they need to talk to, or what is available for assistance, due to their job experience. A relation that is a teacher can help guide a person through adult or basic training or language problems that are available. Even if the person is not currently in the job they may still have knowledge from previous jobs that can help you get the effected person the aid they need. Understand Team Swap is not saying that the state / government is always the answer, but it can be used as a tool to get the person on the road to normalcy.
To us though the majority of “real” problems that the church does the worst job in helping people though are not the issues of food, shelter or clothing. There are multiple options to resolve problems in each of those areas that are readily known and available to any that seek them out. Most of the time we can help a person with those issues with only a few calls, and maybe a short ride to where the solution is. So, we do a fine job meeting needs in those areas because the solution is known and achieved with limited personal commitment.
The “real” problems that most Christians and churches do not do as good of job with are the ones that involve personal choices, and lifestyles. The addicts, the alcoholics, the sexually immoral, and the abused all have resources available to them as well, yet the effected person are usually far less willing to pursue them. If someone has a issue with food, shelter and clothing and they are not dealing with additional personal issues then the solutions are relatively easy and simple, and we usually are helpful as a body. Yet, most people with issues of food, shelter and clothing are dealing with additional problems, many which can be traced to bad personal decisions.
When the solution requires more then a few calls, and maybe a few rides, then we begin to wane in our desire to help the person. This lack of desire comes from the fact that there are additional circumstances added to the situation. It hard to deal with someone that is bi polar (sober vs. drunk/high) and whose word is worthless. Addicts and junkies are by default users of anything and anyone that can get them a bit of relief. Anyone that has been around or in churches any length of time has had frauds take advantage of the churches good nature and willingness to help. These circumstances only add further stresses to relationships that we are probably already looking to avoid anyway.
So, it is not lack of willingness, lack of resources, or lack of concern that we think makes us fail when we are confronted with people with “real” problems, it is lack of desire and patience. We really do not want to get our hands dirty, or our car smelly, with the grime of real problems. We want to quickly push the problem to either being something they need to “just get over” or something that someone else “a professional or a trained volunteer” can take care of. The second is not bad if you are not able to help the person yourself, yet simply pointing them to the right place and maybe delivering them their once is not sufficient. We may have to stay involved as a mentor, a counselor, a friend or just a consistent ride to the resource to help the person get what they need.
The root solution to many of the personal issues that cause real problems is getting the person to want change. Some people do not want to change because they do not see the problem as being as serious as it is. Others like the benefits they get from trying to get help, but are not committed to the resolution of their problems, they just want to the rewards for attempting to change.
We can not make a person change, we can however consistently reach out to them until they want real change. It may take years to get someone to see that they are in need of change, even if the need for change is urgent. The urgency of the change is only real when they agree that the problem needs resolution. Few people accept Christ the first time they hear the gospel, most of us did not, yet we expect others to accept Christ or implement changes the first time we present them. This is unrealistic, and one of the reason’s Christians have a bad reputation for being sayers of the word, but not doers of the word.
Even if the person does not want change quickly, we have to be patient enough to continually reach out to them until they do. That patience must be rooted in a desire to really help someone, even if it is inconvenient and time consuming. Also true is the fact that we may lay the groundwork / plant the seed that another completes the building of or harvests. Many “Christians” do not want to work for things that others will receive earthly glory or credit for. That is simply selfish humanism and at it’s worst impacts the eternity of many.
So, I guess to sum up I am saying that weather the problem is perceived or real we must not just meet the person where they are, but also be willing to work patiently with them until the issue is resolved, even if it takes time and we do not receive any credit for it. Sometimes problems may be resolved quickly because the person wants to change, or a resource to resolve the issue is easily accessible. Most churches / Christians will help under those circumstances. Yet when the person does not want to change or resolve the issue, be it real or perceived, we all must be willing to be diligent in both prayer and action until the problem is resolved or the person parishes due to it.
We know that it is likely that we have not said anything in the last two posts that you did not know already, but we do believe that many times it is not what we do not know that limits us it is the willingness to apply what we already know to our lives, and the situations that arise in our lives. Hopefully God has clicked a few points in your mind as He did ours when we began to think about this. If there is any way Team Swap can help get you involved or motivated to work for God please contact us.
