John
July 27, 2018
John is a big guy. He looks like a former football player that moonlights as a bouncer. He does work security amongst other responsibilities, but not for nightclubs. His stature can be intimidating, but he welcomes those that are in sincere need.
"Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
-Matthew 9:5-6
John's alcoholism lead him to being homeless for 5 months. He ended up staying at a local homeless mission where the counselors shared the Bible with him and helped him get focused on becoming sober. They took a chance on him and allowed him to live at the mission for 5 years.
John has been sober for 8 years and 6 months and is now on the board of directors at that local mission. He has moved out of the mission to live on his own in a rented room. At the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, where I met John, he works security, passes out trays and utensils, helps with the kitchen, and makes all of the visitors feel at home. It seemed like everyone knew his name.
All of us have had an experience where we have felt shame or guilt. We have also had times where we were physically hurt or unhealthy. One of the pastors at my church said, "Jesus wants the man to first stand with his soul, then with his legs." John is an example of a man whose soul is standing as evidenced by his joy in helping those that are in his former situation and who is physically standing by being sober for close to a decade.
Read MoreJohn is a big guy. He looks like a former football player that moonlights as a bouncer. He does work security amongst other responsibilities, but not for nightclubs. His stature can be intimidating, but he welcomes those that are in sincere need.
"Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
-Matthew 9:5-6
John's alcoholism lead him to being homeless for 5 months. He ended up staying at a local homeless mission where the counselors shared the Bible with him and helped him get focused on becoming sober. They took a chance on him and allowed him to live at the mission for 5 years.
John has been sober for 8 years and 6 months and is now on the board of directors at that local mission. He has moved out of the mission to live on his own in a rented room. At the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, where I met John, he works security, passes out trays and utensils, helps with the kitchen, and makes all of the visitors feel at home. It seemed like everyone knew his name.
All of us have had an experience where we have felt shame or guilt. We have also had times where we were physically hurt or unhealthy. One of the pastors at my church said, "Jesus wants the man to first stand with his soul, then with his legs." John is an example of a man whose soul is standing as evidenced by his joy in helping those that are in his former situation and who is physically standing by being sober for close to a decade.
