Isaiah 61:11 says, “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”
It was dark, cold, and rainy. Not a typical evening in Southern California. As my family and I left the restaurant, we couldn’t help but notice the slumped-over body uncomfortably lying behind the nearby pillar. All of us were moved to compassion. The others headed to the car while I slowly walked around the pillar to meet the person lying there on the hard concrete, and found a shivering homeless woman with bare, swollen, dirty feet.
I crouched near her, gently smiled, and introduced myself. I asked her her name, and if there was anything our family could do to help her. Her response was confused, but after some clarifying questions, I headed back to the car with a plan. We made a quick shopping trip and returned with a stocking cap, a blanket, and warm socks. One of our girls went with me to meet Darla* and deliver the items. Darla seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move. After stretching the socks over her swollen feet and covering her with the blanket, I asked Darla if it would be ok for us to pray a blessing over her. She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Just as I began to pray, we were surprised by a smiling young woman who approached us, carrying a box of hot food to share. While Darla scarfed down her food, I invited the young woman to pray with us. She cautiously said yes. I started to pray a second time and was interrupted again, this time by a homeless young man passing by. It was obvious he was being drawn in to engage with what he was witnessing. He shared that he had been given a Bible earlier that day and asked me if I would read something to him, so I shared some of my favorite verses from Psalms. By the time I finished, the young woman had gone to get her cute dog out of the car for Darla to enjoy, and our son had gotten out of our car to meet the dog and participate in the contagious good that was happening!
As we partnered with God in bringing his Kingdom, righteousness and praise began springing up all over the place! The environment quickly shifted, and shivering loneliness gave way to compassion, sharing, laughter, community, and blessing. Every person involved was touched by God’s presence.
Reflect on the image above and consider the landscape you find yourself in. How is the Lord at work, tending the environment around you?
How are you being drawn to foster righteousness and praise in your context? Listen for any new assignments he gives you and then obey!
*name changed
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Moen and her husband, Deric, have been serving with Novo for 18 years. They currently reside in Southern California, leading a Gospel Movement Team. Amber and Deric also facilitate one of Novo's Spiritual Authority Cohorts, and serve on the Movement Incubator Team. If you can’t find Amber cheering at one of her kids’ sporting events, she may be hiking…or doing laundry. The Moens have three amazing kids, Ava (17), Molly (14), and David (11).