Friends In Low Places

As with many messages I send out, this one was inspired by a discussion my prayer partner Scott and I had at breakfast yesterday. Thank God for renewal and placing this Brother into my life! As you see from the subject line I want to briefly touch on what is called having friends in low places.

As a Christian we have many opportunities. One that I cherish is to be able to witness. I absolutely love it when God places people into my life that are hungry for a good discussion on becoming more connected. My only challenge is to not tackle the person and go overboard ... Yes, hard to believe, but I get excited and can be a little bit of a Bull in a china shop ;o) That being said I also feel that inaction is also unacceptable. In my humble opinion part of being a witness is to not isolate or maybe a better term is insulate myself with a wall of fellow believers. I feel it is important to recognize when someone needs Christ in their life and go to them.

How many times have we missed chances because we avoid those that have problems, we consciously walk around those at rock bottom, and we return to our happy place rather than rolling up our sleeves and helping those in need? Just because a person makes bad choices doesn't mean they should be cast away. Who better to lead them than someone that knows Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Remember Jesus hung out with friends in low places. Did he like what they were doing? Absolutely not, as a matter of a fact I'm guessing he detested the sin and their sinful nature, but he showed absolute and unconditional love for them. He went to the lost so that they could be found.

Luke 5:31-32, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance."

Now I'm certainly not saying that you need to go looking for someone in the neighborhood bar, brothel, or unmentionable place. I'm guessing that you won't have to look far in your own life to discover those that need you and need Christ. Take time to pray for God to place someone on your heart that is in pain and needs to know him. Then allow yourself to be a vehicle of God's love. Find your "friends in low places" and witness to them. Maybe an indirect discussion about the transforming power of Jesus Christ will be all they need. Don't miss the chance to save a life. I'm glad someone was willing to do that for me and I'm glad I have the opportunity to pay it forward once again.

Love in Christ,
Steve