37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] Matthew 22:37-39
The metaphor of most aid provided our neighbor is fixing the flat tire. When the tire is flat, we help change it. But when the time comes to buy and replace the tire, often we have moved on. We address trauma, which is needed, but we stop short of preparing our neighbor for the next pothole.
The metaphor is a work in progress. The good news is that Tennessee, through the Governor’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives is piloting the The Human Flourishing Initiative in Memphis, with Agape Child and Family Services serving as the general contractor. It’s goal is to identify needs for individuals and cut through the confusion of programs to provide resources quickly and effectively to those in need.
Reneice Stevenson is overseeing the rollout and implementation. HopeHub is providing the technology. We are to provide the hope and support for our neighbors. It’s a worthy cause.
Father, forgive me for not spending regular time with You. I choose comfort, rest, and distraction over praying for my neighbor and seeking Your will.
Tonight we lift up the work being done through Agape and the Governor’s office because we believe it worthy. We know that help is needed and we know that we are the ones who shall answer the call. Bless the work of Agape and The Human Flourishing Initiative. May we be humble enough to know that lives cannot be changed without You, and that Lord, without You, we cannot help change lives.
We pray for our neighbors that are in need tonight. Hear their cries. Comfort and sustain them. Then Lord, place on our hearts the conviction to act and not turn away. Protect the laborers and draw more to the work of Your heart. Bless Reniece and the organizations participating, that the glory of the Lord be seen in the work. Form a hedge around the work, that the adversary is kept at bay. Lord, may pride and chaos not come close. May love and grace, generosity of time and talent, be seen growing each day. In Christ’s name, amen.