I was in knots all week leading up to this evening. Last time I spoke at the Rescue Mission was about a year ago. Our church leads a service every other month. It’s a really nice place—I mean, carpeting, A/C, beds, clean facilities, etc. It’s nicer than what you would picture a mission to be like, or at least what I picture a mission to look like. But anyway, as I was saying, we’re in charge every other month.

I grew up at Twelve Oaks. For as long as I can remember, we always went to the Mission on the 4th Tuesday of every other month—and I absolutely hated going. My dad would drag me down there (most of the time he was preaching). The neighborhood intimidated me. The guys staying there intimidated me. I just hated it. (it just goes to show that God has a sense of humor. The place I hated I can’t wait to get back again!)

Our young adult group led the service. We had a contemporary worship set, which was a major change for them. They normally sing one or two hymns, listen to a sermon and go back to their bunks. Tonight, I played guitar and sang, Tommie was on bass, Dave played the djembe and Katie played the piano. We actually worked in a couple of hymns, although they weren’t very traditional. Here’s our set list for the night:

• All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (Paul Baloche version)
• Holy is the Lord
• Shout to the North
• How Marvelous

I don’t think they were used to worship songs, but by the end there were guys with their hands in the air worshiping with us. They LOVED it! We didn’t even have a way to display the words to the two worship songs in front of them, digital or otherwise and they still sang with us. When they caught on to the lyrics, they joined in and sang their hearts out.

But even though worship was good, the main punch of the night came during the speaking and testimonies. And I certainly don’t mean me… I mean Randy.

Randy is a guy at our church that does a lot of the grounds work and maintenance. I knew that he had been through some rough times in his life, but oh my goodness. I had no idea. Prison. Drugs. Prison. Escaping prison. More prison… and finally being led to the Lord by two men serving life sentences for multiple homicides. God uses the weak to confound the strong. No kidding.

I have so much to learn about God’s strength. I go along thinking I’m something, and God’s sends someone like him into my life to completely humble me. I don’t know the first thing about living for God under trials or hard times. This guy has been there. I give my theories about life on the streets. He gives personal examples. I am afraid to go into the projects to evangelize. He grew up there. It was a humbling night.

So, yeah… I spoke, too. So did Dave (the djembe guy). And I’m pretty sure we sounded okay. But my head is still spinning from Randy’s talk, and I’m struggling with the realization that I am nowhere near where I need to be with Christ. And I’m far weaker than I ever care to admit.