My wife and I have spent the week on the border of Texas and Mexico. The number one lesson I’ve learned when it comes to opinions about immigration: we all have opinions about immigration. Also, most opinions that get shared from either viewpoint (“pro” immigrant or “anti” immigrant) in a wider audience come from people not here. The immigration issue is complicated and we don’t like that dissonance.
The deeper lesson I learned here is seeing what incarnational ministry truly looks like. There are people here to choose to live here to be present for people in this area. They stand ready every day to have their schedules interrupted. They may need to go to a bus station to hand out emergency travel kits because an influx of immigrants have been processed and are heading to points beyond in the U.S.
They may need to go to a free clinic to help with processing patients. Others serve regularly as medical staff in free clinics.
They may need to help sort clothes at a respite center.
They may be called to offer prayers for the sick at another center.
The most important lesson of incarnational ministry is this: to love the person in front of them. To love them is to ask what they have need of and see if that need can be met. Incarnational ministry is truly to love “the least of these.”
It is a group centered fully in Christ. They are present because Jesus has asked this of them. They are anchored daily by prayers and readings that are part of the spiritual rhythm called the Daily Office.
Our week has been full and I am deeply thankful. A refreshing view of people who love deeply is needed in our time. I am thankful to have that view.
Apprentice 2 Jesus 