There are undesirables all around. They suffer from poor self images. Some are short and pudgy. Others are tall and skinny. Some have bad complexions, bad hair, bad teeth, and bad morale failures. These people feel unloved, unwanted, and undesirable.
I just walked out of a service with hundreds of such students. While I preached tonight I saw a girl weeping openly on the second row. Her friend seated next to her reached over to comfort her. I saw another weeping back in the middle of the room. It became obvious the word of the Lord connected with student's lives.
Jesus championed undesirable people. The focal point tonight was Jesus championing and touching the leper in Matt 8:1-3. A social outcast, unclean, an undesirable who summoned the courage to approach Jesus for healing but also found a champion and a healer.
I watched students all over the room mesmerized by God's truth. They were not mesmerized by a preacher. I don't have that kind of ability. Jesus put the word on my heart, connected it to hurting people, and then He went to work. He did and continues to do what He does best. He helps hurting, broken, sinful, and undesirable people. He champions them.
A beautiful scene unfolded at the end as both adults and students went around the room praying for people who felt undesirable. I stood in the back of the room pleading for Jesus to become real for people and to touch them like He touched the leper.
As they exited the building later one girl walked up to me tearfully and hugged me. She did not voice words. That hug said volumes. So did her tearful eyes. In her eyes I heard the message, "Thank you. I am one of those undesirables. Thank you for telling me my worth is found in Jesus and not in my appearance."
A grown man slapped me on the shoulder as he left. Earlier in the afternoon he spent an hour pouring out some of the darkest pains in his life. I felt honored to listen and to be a safe place to unload his burdens.
Another grown man walked by and embraced me. He did not say a word but his hug said it all. I think he also felt like an undesirable at some point in his life and now he serves to help other undesirables come experience Jesus.
Other students came by and I tried to make some kind of contact with as many of them as possible. The deep presence of God spilled out onto the driveway outside the building where we worshipped. I walked back to my room alone praying. I thanked God for allowing me to keep preaching to students. I am 50 now. Way past relevancy and being cool. I am straightforward. Loud, Bold, But I also love students. I enjoy getting to know them throughout the week. I enjoy watching God touch them and change their lives.
As i prayed I promised God I would keep taking His word and love to students as long as He will keep opening doors and giving me opportunities. I will keep being one of His champions for the undesirables. Why? Over three and a half decades ago I was one of those undesirables Jesus championed. It is an honor and privilege to get to travel up and down the country telling others He will do the same for them. I will keep going as long as He will keep sending. May I expend my last breath pointing undesirables to my champion Jesus.
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