Are you looking for a book that will challenge your Christian walk in a way you will never forget? Do you need that "push" in the right direction to get out of your comfort zone and into a world that is hurting and begging for the love of Jesus Christ? Then I strongly recommend you pick up a coply of Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski.
Mike and his friend Sam travel across the United States to six major cities with only the clothes on their backs and their guitars. They start their journey at a mission for homeless men who are trying to come off of a variety of addictions to help "break" them into the world of being homeless.
I could easily sit here and go chapter by chapter of this book and share what I have learned but I want you to go buy this book! I'm going to hit on the one major change in my heart after reading this book and then I would love to hear what you have to say after reading it!
How many of us tell people we'll pray for them and then never do? Or say "I'll pray for you" when what the other brother or sister needs is our help, through food, clothing or shelter? I can raise my hand for sure because sometimes the situation is just too messy for me to get involved or I convince myself that I'm not the right person to help. As Mike and Sam went from church to church across our nation, you could see the one's that are truly filled with the Holy Spirit and which one's were nothing more than buildings filled with people.
My own personal conviction of people in need is this. If someone comes to me and is sharing about a struggle they are going through, first, I absolutely will pray for them, standing right there WITH them. No more thinking its a "get to it" prayer because 9 times out of 10 I don't get to it at all. Second, if there is a need that I can do something about or have the resources to help, I will do it! No more sitting back on my hands thinking I'm not good enough to help or I don't have the skill needed.
I now know that God presents these opportunities to me to bless someone else and I won't turn away if there is anything I can do. I'm going to be willing to step out in faith and give God all the glory.
Want to know more about the book? First, I recommend that you visit the Under the Overpass
website. It is rich with information, journals, videos, and a book discussion guide. Also there is a link there to help you get involved in your own area of the country. The book is available for purchase at any of the major book stores including
Waterbrook Multnomah.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid
down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our
lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions
and sees his brother in need but has no pity on
him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children,
let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16–18)
If you do one thing this year that will further the kingdom of God, pick up this book and give it a read. Working with the homeless may not be what God has called you to do, but this book will open your heart to working in some sort of missions. To reach out and touch the forgotten.
God bless you,
