The Rain Is Coming

We were sitting outside in a parking lot. I was not surprised that this is how this church service was going. The entire point was to have the youth run the service and for the community that surrounds us to hear, see and smell all that was going on. I think we all hoped that more than one visitor who was just coming by would be curious enough to stop and see what was going on. Instead they stayed deep behind closed doors, peeking out from pulled curtains.

Honestly, the reason that I was drawn to that same service was due to the Urban Youth Impact "Drum Disciples" performing as part of the service. My 7 year old has been learning drum line techniques this year from an amazing volunteer who showed up one day after having seen our battered UYI van in a grocery store parking lot. (As an aside I figured out last night that I had been the one driving the van that day.)

15 of our young men have been learning about Jesus, and leadership and of course percussion, all through weekly drum lessons. This was their first "performance" of the year. As the turn came for them to do their thing, the drum teacher got up to give his testimony.

I knew that he came from a rough background, but this was the first time I had heard this version of the story. When Fred was in 5th grade a "friend" pinned him down on the bed and drew a gun. Looking down the barrel of the gun he could see the bullets staring back at him. Had it not been an inexperienced user who could not get the safety off he would have been dead at 12 years old. Three times the "friend" attempted to pull the trigger. For Fred, that was the day he lost fear and his emotions dried up. He set out on a life on the streets that twisted and turned him into a man who could shed no tears. One day Jesus Christ, got a hold of Fred's heart and brought him home. The tears began when the funerals began. At 49 years old ALL of the guys that he hung with are dead. As a teen all the girls in Fred's "hood" had babies. What crushed his Spirit was when the babies began to pick up guns and drugs and he had to go to THEIR funerals.

I once read a statistic that 90% of black men in America will be dead or in jail before the age of 45.  I never believed that it could be that high. Yet, here I was standing in front of a statistic. ALL, ALL, ALL of his boyz from the old days are gone. Now their children are dying too. The cycle continued on in the ghetto and it continues on to bring death.

As these words entered my soul another man got up to speak. This man is now the youth pastor. However, at one time he was a gang banger. He sold more drugs than anyone else in the city next to West Palm. He was the worst of the worst on the streets until Jesus whispered truth in his ear. One day he knew that is was not about "hearing good words," but "about giving and living my life for someone who wanted to save me from my pit."

The Drum Disciples came on and they pounded out their beats for the Creator of Universe. Their praise rang through the heavens, but my heart was torn. I loved watching these redeemed men stand before me. I loved hearing the testimonies. Yet, as I watched these young men on their drums the questions began to plague me.  Why do the statistics have to be so high? Why can't they avoid the streets all together? Why is the pull so strong? When we are without earthly "stuff" why is it that we make ourselves believe that having more will make it all better? Why is it that we all fight so hard for status?

As we stood to pray my soul ripped in two. My resolve returned once again. Have I given up believing that it will really be any different? "Well, that's just what they do isn't it?" They go out their own way and then they will come back. Rebellion must be a part of free will right? WRONG??? The Lord never meant for us to rebel. He told Saul that "obedience is better than sacrifice." Living for Christ, all the way, is what he wants most out of us.... from the beginning...to the end.

I am reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18. Due to the sin of Israel there had been a long drought.  But, Elijah stand at the top of Mount Carmel (God's mountain) and challenges the prophets of Baal.  He challenges their pagan God to light a small fire to burn a small sacrifice. This fake god can not. However, when THE GOD of the universe shows up he blows his alter up!!  When the people see this they turn back to the Lord and He decides the drought is over. Elijah sits and waits for the rain to come. He believes that it will. He knows that it will. He sits and waits. Seven times he sends his servant out to look for the rain. Finally, he returns with reports that a small white cloud the size of a man's hand is rising.  Elijah declares, "THERE IT IS!!"   He gets up and says, "Go tell the king that he is about to get stuck in a downpour."  Just as the words roll of his tongue it is there.  Elijah did not have to see the rain to believe that it was coming. He knew.

The Lord did not intend the rebellion to turn us back. He desires for us to follow him with all of us, all of our lives.  These young boys are meant to avoid the streets and its pull altogether. I believe it can be this way.  I am standing waiting for the rain. Last night in a parking lot I was reminded that I have to keep looking to the horizon. It is coming....