"If we do not engage the culture, the culture will engage us."
This is an important message for us all.
I could relate to his stories, particularly when he talked about the young man that had tears in his eyes while talking about the abuse he went through. We just do not realise, or perhaps forget, how badly people are hurting in this world. I have seen these tears in peoples eyes before, these gushing tears.
This evening as I went out to share the Gospel I felt especially constrained to speak in compassion and love. I talked with a young man that told me he was afraid to go to churches because he always cried when he went. I asked why and he said becuase he had a really messed up life and also becuase of thoughts of death. I was able to share Christ with him and it reminded me how little we know about the hearts and minds of people through our own knowledge and sight.
Later I spoke with a young homeless man who said he had come here from one of the Carolinas for eye surgery(some group sponsored it) but that he has not found any work and is waiting for the surgery. His parents had passed away and he was pretty much alone. When I asked about his faith he said he was a believer but had fallen into sin. We prayed together and he seemed encouraged.
I felt like there were others that I passed by that were hurting and alone. No doubt there were more than I know.