The Pastor’s Garage May 19th, 2021

Good afternoon family. It’s been so wonderful to feel the warm sun on my
face the last few days. I am so thankful and just can’t believe that in a
few days they are calling for the slight possibility of snow. Well, at
least we will get some moisture which we really really need.

This morning I read from Matthew chapter 9 the following verses:

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every
disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers
are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers
into his harvest field.”

When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them. I am the first to admit
that I don’t often feel compassion when I see people who are struggling in
or through life. The addict, the depressed, the sick, the poor, the
lonely, etc… I’ve got great excuses that I use to justify a heart that
can easily move to hardness and apathy when I see them. And there lies the
problem, I don’t think that I actually *see *them. I see the cartoon
character I’ve built in my mind that has all the stereotypical reasons that
they shouldn’t be where they are – mostly to do with them being lazy or
that they somehow made the bed they are sleeping in. Which may have some
truth to it, but I think it is a lot more complicated than that!

Anyway back to seeing them. It’s not always easy to see past the rough
exterior or the painted on smile, especially when we aren’t close to people
or if we don’t know them well. We can develop relationships over time and
get to know people, but there are lots of barriers to this and there is
lots of time involved. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying don’t push
through the barriers or take the time needed to build those relationships –
but what if there was something that could give you a boost on this
journey. Well, I can’t remember if I shared this youtube channel before but
there is a youtube channel called Soft White Underbelly that might fit this
bill.

Now before you go and watch any of his videos (and I really debated whether
or not I would post this) you need to be forewarned that his interviews are
raw and unfiltered and not appropriate for the young or for those not ready
to see real life people struggling with some of the hardest issues in life.
He interviews addicts, prostitutes, mob bosses and everyone in between –
including some people who have done some vile things. His purpose is so
that we can get a glimpse into their humanity and have compassion on them.
Please, please know that I have no intention of sending you somewhere
inappropriate or for you to hear or see something that will trigger you. My
hope is that some of us might be stirred by *seeing *with a little more
reality and compassion the brokenness of our world and the desperate need
people have of Christ. If you think it will offend you or disturb you,
please ignore this and move on. And to be clear I have not watched all of
his videos, not even close. but the ones I have watched have left me
sobered, sombre, more empathetic and painfully aware of *our world’s need
for the loving, redeeming, powerful love of Christ.*

Before you watch any of his videos I suggest you watch his intro video
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA50FoqW-MY. I think this gives a
good framework as to what he is doing. He has a lot of videos! Again, they
are not for children nor are they for the faint of heart. Some of them
contain mature subject matter and I’ve chosen to steer clear of them. I
leave it to your discretion. I will say this though – he does not
glamorize or misrepresent – he basically lets people tell their story AND
this is the world we live in! A world who desperately needs more workers
sent out. If anything we should be motivated to pray! His channel can be
found here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvcd0FYi58LwyTQP9LITpA

God bless and have a great week and weekend!

Pastor Dave