Do you have an interest in the stories others are telling? (@paulblakey)

http://archbishopofyorkyouthtrust.co.uk/?page_id=18

It was great to be able to share with them the story of Street Angels and the difference ordinary everyday people are making in our towns and cities especially in terms of crime reduction and the people we help.

When a teacher asked me what Bible verse inspired and motivated me within Street Angels the answer was simple! “God’s Kingdom come, God’s will be done, on earth as in heaven”.

The more I think and pray this verse surely is central to our lives as Christians. It was great to be part of the National Day of Prayer at Wembley Stadium where this verse and the Lord’s Prayer were central to the whole day.

In everything we do we should be motivated to ask “what would God’s Kingdom look like in this situation?”

In my early days as a Christian our evangelism seemed to be mainly geared towards people making a decision – raising a hand and saying a prayer (the Born Again message – it is interesting though that to the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how do you receive eternal life, Jesus replied, “Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor…” – that is not an alter call I hear much – “want to become a Christian – first put your house on the market, put all your possessions on ebay and take your car to the dealer – with all the money that raises – give it away to the poor – then you are a Christian!”)

To the homeless God’s Kingdom is a warm meal, support and somewhere to sleep; to those in debt support to get out of that debt; to the lonely elderly lady a piece of cake, cup of tea and a long chat; to the housebound the weekly shop; to the young people out clubbing a Street Angel to guide them safely home; to the young person given up on life someone who will treat them with respect, value and worth; to the Facebooker and Tweeter an interest in the story they are living…

Maybe the call to follow Jesus is more like the story of the rich young ruler – it involves all of us, our time, our money, our resources, our energy – God’s Kingdom can so easily be a reality – yet we are the ones called to make it happen.

Let’s challenge ourselves – “what would God’s Kingdom look like in this situation?” …. The answer is in your hands!