God called Paul--a man who had been directly involved in the killings of people.
God called Levi--the tax collector who had been stealing from people.
God called the woman at the well--who had a "reputation" throughout her village.
***
On Monday when the apprentices were walking to my house, we watched a guy who played in open gym get booked outside of my house. We talked about the event of a undercover cops posing as women who prostitute on North Ave. to catch solicitors.
On Tuesday as I was walking Andre home, we saw three other young men on his block being booked probably for possession.
On Wednesday, our box with $140.00 worth of supplies was stolen out of Beth's, our director's, car.
Friday...there were helicopters hovering over Humboldt Park.
Yesterday, a man was shot in front of Esme's house around 4 am.
So, when two apprentices and I got together yesterday, there was a lot they had to talk about. A lot of emotions about the violence, a lot of questions about what to do.
***
I posed a question to them: "Did you know that God cares for the victim of violent crime, as well as the people who commit the crime?"
I told them that I have started praying for the hearts of the perpetrator just as much as the one who has been hurt.
"That's different," commented the visiting sister of one of the apprentices.
"God can change any heart..." Then, I told them about Paul, Levi, and Yesenia (the dance teacher who is always there when we come in on Saturdays.
"I guess God can do anything he wants to," commented one apprentice.
***
The world sees people as what they do--they become labeled and stereotyped, sometimes for their who lives.
Murderer
Thief
Prostitute
Drug Dealer
Gangbanger
But, as one ministry said: "Labels are for cans, not people." God can change and transform the heart--which is a miracle in itself. For whoever who accepts Him, Christ's righteousness is seen instead of our own bad deeds--that in itself is something to praise Him about.
