Does it matter

Yesterday we had the privilege of "Doing Good" along side a local non-profit that we have chosen to partner with.  The group is called "Free Food For All" and literally, their name says it all.  I will tell you considerably more about them along the course of our journey, but for now I will leave you with the simple truth that they are one of the most unassuming, unseen, and yet remarkable groups that I have encountered in over 20 years of pastoral artistry ... and they are right here, in our neighborhood.  Unseen yet literally immeasurable in their care of innumerable people (especially school children) in need in the city of Seattle.
As we prepared lunches for city school children and other food for a neighborhood food bank, I was struck by the enormity of their influence and the passion.  They do so much with so little while operating far out of the mainstream and spotlight.  They struggle, as do so many other groups, connecting people to the idea of "doing good".  In 20 years of leading established churches, and for these past 8 months leading a new church, I know the struggle too well.  In fact, if I could offer a moment of honesty and vulnerability, I would say that there is nothing as crushing to me as apathy to the cause of "doing good" especially when it comes to doing it in the name of Jesus.  If anything would cause me to quit this life and go do something else, it would be an inability to inspire, lead, and help engage people in caring enough about the living out of their own faith proclamation that the natural outflow would be to give a rip about the world that they've been called to live into.  
Last week we began a discussion about spiritual disciplines ... beginning with solitude.  We will continue to learn about and live into these.  They may be tough to master, but oh so worth it.  This week I was reminded that there is a discipline to "doing good".   There is an illusion about the "social consciousness" of Seattle... that we are all out for a cause ... that volunteering is our second language.  Sadly, and it may not be a popular opinion, but I fear it is just that ... its a language.  It's a great deal more talking than walking.  The bright side of this, for the church, especially a new one, is that we could, with discipline, rise far above the crowd and demonstrate once and for all the truth of Jesus 2nd response to the question of "the greatest commandment" ... loving your neighbor as yourself.  It's our message to own and live ... but it is going to take discipline.  It is going to have to be a priority. 
Last night, I looked long and hard at the reality of a relatively small, in numbers, presence.  I witnessed the passion of a group flying somewhat under the radar.  I considered that great cause that we were partnered in, and I asked myself "does it matter"?  Then I watched as a 3 1/2 year old enthusiastically packed lunches for over and hour to be given to hungry children while she repeatedly exclaimed how much they would "just love the yummy fruit".... and I knew that yes, it does in fact matter a great deal.