The margins

The Margins

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The Green Team as well as Riverside Church, was challenged with this verse by pastor Daniel Black in Fort Myers, Florida. Throughout Jesus’ ministry one can clearly see that most of His ministry was done in the margins of His life. In those times outside of the spotlight and public eye, his ministry never stopped. In efforts to be imitators of Christ, the Green Team took on this challenge and made it a point not to miss the margins.

Right down the road from the hotel, in Fort Myers, where the team was staying, was a small, family owned bagel shop. A few staffers decided to change up the breakfast menu and ended up in this shop and formed an immediate bond with the owner, Adam. As the relationship began to grow they decided to ask him if he had any children whom they could sponsor to send to camp and they left it at that. A few hours later three children appeared in the camp office. The staffers would later find out that these beautiful and bouncy children weren’t actually the Adams. They were the children of Mrs. Diaz, a mother who happened into the Bagel shop a few hours after the staffers had left. These kids had spent their entire summer in the back room of a furniture shop where their parents worked and were itching for an opportunity to be normal children for a week.

As the week continued, staffers began to build relationships with each of the three children and God began to do a great work in each of their hearts. By the end of the week, William, Kira and Alex came eye to eye with the savior and accepted Christ for the very first time. The staffers gave them bibles and from the moment they received them, the children didn’t put them down. They dug into the Word and began to ask questions, not only to the staffers but to their parents as well. The Diaz’s, who hadn’t stepped foot in a church in years, didn't have any idea how to answer these questions. They began to wonder why their children had developed such a strong desire for the Bible as well as what had changed in them. She decided to make plans to start brining her children to church. William, who suffers with a form of muscular dystrophy, began to dig into Revelation. Alex, who was seven years old, began to ask Mrs. Diaz about a woman named Mary and someone named “Jose.” Because she had no idea how to answer this question, she came to the WinShape staffers. They were able to share the Gospel with her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she heard about the saving grace that comes freely and abounds for all who believe in Jesus Christ. She wanted to know more about the Gospel and this gift so she asked for bibles -- not only for herself, but for her husband and sister as well. The Diaz family made plans to have weekly family nights where they would spend time in the Word together. When the Diaz family arrived at Chick-fil-a Friday Fun Day, they didn’t come alone. She brought her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, who decided that they too wanted to start coming back to church. Christ’s love is contagious. Isn’t it beautiful how Jesus works through the margins in our lives? Take this simple story as a challenge. Are you doing ministry in the margins of your life or are you letting these moments pass you by?