I work with many in Los Angeles who’ve found themselves homeless, and quite often substance abuse is the prevailing obstacle for them. This is the month for all of us to think about alcohol abuse, and what each of us can do to help those in its grip.
Whether it’s a violent childhood, drug or alcohol addiction, sexual abuse, toxic relationships, or trauma, many of our friends and neighbors are fighting an internal battle; and they need us to meet them at the front-lines.
Recent reports from parents throughout Los Angeles — families that my colleagues and I have been visiting for over two decades — describe their children feeling trapped with nowhere to go and nothing to do. Traumatizing would be an adequate word to describe what is happening in this city.
We all have a right to freedom, but it is a choice of action to ensure that that right is given to the ones who need it the most.
Stop right there! If you feel disqualified — in any way — to be used by God, then you need to know right now that your feelings of inadequacy are actually a qualification of usefulness.
Jesus looked for what we would call "the fish out of water." The entire life of Jesus from the womb to the resurrection was about one thing: looking for misfits.
Have you ever had the feeling you were living on some kind of Christian autopilot? Have you had a time in your life when nothing moves you and you have no idea how you are going to get free?
We marvel that the Bible is full of misfits, and maybe that is what makes the stories so powerful. Think about David or Daniel or Peter or Paul. They embraced their inner misfits. So why don't we?
