ripped

A few years ago, when Wendy and I started a youth group from scratch in the Columbia Vineyard Church, our vision was to reach kids that were very far from God. It was very soon that we started getting kids that came from terrible home situations that were living in foster care. One particular kid, James, was our first outside the church kid to come in. He was an amazing kid that felt comfortable where ever he was. It wasn't long before he had us all by the heart. Within two months, he was moved into another home and was not able to come anymore. Our hearts broke.

We just couldn't understand how God could give us a kid like that and rip him out of our lives just as fast as he got there. It was then that God spoke, he said, "you have to love 'em while you got 'em". That phrase became our unwriten mission statement. You never know when the last time you are going to see someone is.

I've been reading in Colossians and was struck by something Paul said in Chapter 4, verse 5. It says:

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."

I love this! Not only does Paul imply that we will have interaction with non-believers and that we should be wise when we do, he goes further by saying walk towards them. In other words, be purposeful in going where the non-believers are and on top of that, use the time you have with them like you may not get another chance.

It's so important to not only search out the lost, but, love 'em while you got 'em, because they might be gone tomorrow, forever.