The innate sound of suffering can be heard all around as many are found bound to the chains of despair; for in this city, like in this state, the rate of homelessness has only increased. Though mankind, in general, walks around shouldering their own problems, most can live a reasonable existence where holding down a job to provide enough for food and shelter is not an issue. However, there are those who, at some point, made the decision to seek out a chemical substance to help dull the pain of the burdens they carry, and so because they chose to lean on a simulated source of relief, they only found a temporary sensation of peace.
To keep alive these internal feelings of calmness, a continual stream of alcohol or drugs had to be consumed, which in turn placed them in the chains of addiction. So, who these lost souls are seen or thought to be is not who they truly are underneath the layers of filth and substance abuse. For harbored below the surface lies their real identity: the unique person I created before the damage of this dependency took over their bodies.
Yet, because they were looking to numb their pain instead of finding authentic healing, once they had given in and walked down this dark path, these lost souls opened the door of permission which welcomed in the enemy, whose only desire is to reap destruction. As a result, these lost souls are now overcome by the evil voices swirling around them, trapped in a perpetual cycle of unrelenting pressure to remain attached to these artificial stimulants.
And so now, quieting this need inside, that calls out and pushes them to keep feeding its cravings, is the only voice they can hear. For the evil forces at work in this world have been allowed to have control over their mind and body, leaving these desperate souls to live as if puppets on a string, because every time they turned to substances for comfort, these lost souls have given the enemy more and more room to dwell within them; becoming the dominating voice they hear, controlling their movements as they can no longer hear or perceive any words of sound reason.
For who in their right mind would desire to live without shelter, or long to exist without care for their personal hygiene? I certainly did not instill these ideas in man when I created him.
So because the enemy loves to distort what I have created, {when a person accepts greater partnership with him, the less their life reflects what I have proposed for them. These lost souls should be seen through the eyes of hope, and are not to be treated with any less value than the rest of society. Yet, because most who live in this city and state have become accustomed to seeing these lost souls wandering the streets, very few who live in common society even notice their presence anymore. Most who live what is considered a more normal life don’t want to be bothered by the bigger need found within the homeless communities. And because so many have already formed a negative opinion about those living in desperation, very little true compassion is to be found in the people who call this city and state their place of residence.
It is then on to the government that this task of caring for the displaced and destitute has been passed, where the yearly taxes paid by its citizens are expected to be applied to solving this crisis. However, because those in charge have a different agenda for the large amount of revenue they collect, those who are suffering and in need of shelter are left to fend for themselves. For who can ever really rely on the words of a politician whose only desire is to be re-elected so that he or she can hold onto their seat of power? Empty promises are then given as those who crave power stand on the backs of the poor and indigent, using them as their platform. But when the time comes for action, these greedy bureaucrats simply pass the responsibility onto someone else.
Though there are many organizations which were formed with the mission to bring change and reduce the numbers of those found on the streets, many of these have also allowed their hearts to be affected by greed, where those at the top have taken a bigger cut of the funds which come in, where perpetuating the existence of the non-profit has drifted in as the mission, and keeping the doors open is the focus. So, again, those lost souls are found with fewer and fewer who will actually step in and be advocates for them.
But then, what of My Church? Where are those who call themselves “servants”? Have they too taken the same stance as common society when it comes to the homeless? Have they forgotten the example of My Son, who remained steadfast in His focus on those around Him, and did not waver in His commitment to caring first for the needs of others? So, My own must break free from the idea that being the Church only involves building the house where they worship. For though I am pleased when My own seek to serve Me, it was for the world My Son came, which means that My children, too, must focus more upon their communities and upon those who are suffering.
For how can these lost souls be freed from their bondage unless they too encounter the love of My Son? And who will deliver His message of hope unless My own each take up their cross and follow after His example? Since dying to Himself was the choice He made, His days on Earth were spent in complete surrender to My will. Therefore, shouldn’t My own be seen holding the same posture, where they surrender to the working of My will in their lives? So then if I say to some, “Rise up and care for those who are lost!”, then those I have chosen should not hesitate to heed My call to step into this role of kindness and compassion. For there are some of My children who I specifically designed to play a bigger role in rescuing the homeless population from the enemy, bringing forth a large harvest from this community.
However, this doesn’t mean My other children should ignore these lost souls when they happen to encounter one or two along their path, as these moments were set as ‘divine appointments’ where My own were given the opportunity and responsibility of spreading the light of My Kingdom in the darkness. Therefore, none of My children should shy away from the prospect of encountering the homeless, because they are but human beings just like them, created in My likeness, as well. Seeing these lost souls as having divine worth is how they should be approached, for My Son’s blood was spilled so that these too could know salvation.
So My own should go forth and let His love lead them throughout their days so that when they happen across a stranger that is hurting, their first thought will be that of compassion, and their actions will be those of kindness. Therefore, each of My own should grab hold of this charge with the understanding that the homeless are not to be ignored. For remember, the words in My Scriptures which say some who walked with a heart of compassion unknowingly entertained My heavenly hosts. So let your hearts be surrendered to Me in this way: where if My Spirit urges you to step forward and aid one found ‘down in their luck’, you obediently follow this pull so that this lost soul can find hope.
“Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.” -Hebrews 13:1-3