A few Sundays back, I volunteered at one of my church’s campuses in a neighboring city. Now, the demographic there is quite different from the “nice side of the tracks” where I live.
It wasn’t my first time visiting, but it was my first time attending a service there. What I found was a beautiful oasis: a church that not only preaches the gospel but also feeds the needy every week, partners with city organizations to offer practical help, and—most importantly—builds real relationships. People aren’t asked to “get their act together” before they’re welcomed. Instead, they’re loved right where they are.
That’s very Jesus. When we read the Gospels, we don’t see Jesus demanding that people clean up their lives before He healed or helped them. No, He met them in their brokenness and offered grace first.
For years, I’ve had a “missions mindset.” If I had listened better to God earlier in my life, I might have gone on the mission field. But I missed that call, and the Lord hasn’t reopened that door. Still, He has a way of answering prayers in unexpected ways. When I pray for opportunities to grow, He often allows a season of difficulty that stretches me. When His timing comes, doors swing wide open.
About 18 months ago, I was frustrated and underused where I was. I thought I was in a “test of perseverance,” but in reality, I was simply in the wrong place. A concerned colleague invited me to their church, and for the first time in decades, I felt alive in serving again. Fixing things in the building, showing up, being useful—it wasn’t a burden; it was joy. Leaving that church broke my heart, but when I moved 70 miles north, God led me to another fellowship where I fit right in and could keep serving.
That path eventually brought me to this neighboring campus. And one moment there wrecked me in the best way. Two men approached me, nervously asking for some coffee. I use a little phrase to break the ice: “Hey, I’m Will—what’s going on in your life?”
The floodgates opened. One of them told me his PG&E had been shut off. They were just hoping for coffee, maybe a cookie or two for themselves and their girlfriends. My heart sank. All I could do was shake his hand, tell them to take whatever they needed, and invite them back.
The rest of the day, I couldn’t stop thinking about them.
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40, ESV). That verse kept echoing in my head.
I realized that God is giving me a season where He’s calling me to give more, serve more, and step into messier lives than my own. Saved people serve people—and the world should know us by the overwhelming love we show. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV).
Call to Action:
This week, ask God to expand your heart. Look for someone whose life looks “messy” compared to yours, and choose to step into their world with kindness. Buy them a coffee. Invite them to church. Offer your time. Offer your presence.
Pray boldly: “Lord, give me a bigger heart. Show me who needs Your love today, and give me the courage to serve them as if I were serving You.”
Because when we love the least, we are loving Jesus Himself.
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