What Difference Does it Make?

What difference does it make? This is the title of the book by Ron Hall, a wealthy art dealer, and Denver Moore, a former homeless person who lived in the alleys and behind dumpsters until they met at the mission in Fort Worth Texas where God radically changed both of their lives. Denver Moore says, “If folks like me had the ability to do what folks like you be tellin' us to do, we’d a’ already done it.” Does investing in the lives of the homeless people on Friday night outreach really ‘make a difference'? Don’t we see many of the same people each week? Aren’t we just enabling them to remain on the street? What difference do it make? It was cold and damp this Friday night. Many of the homeless were all ready waiting when we arrived. Because of unforeseen circumstances, we didn’t have the key to getinto the church to setup. I begin think about going and sitting in the UGM van where it was warm, wimpy I know, but the thought did cross my mind. As I begin to mingle among the homeless, one of our men came alongside me and said, “I’ll go with you fo ryour safety”. I hadn’t felt any fear until that point. The key arrived to unlock the church door arrives and we did our usual setup, the serving line was long for a Friday night this early in the month. We serve the usual soup, sandwiches, hot dogs, fresh fruit and hot drinks. Coats, blankets, socks, back packs and toiletries were in brisk demand. But still the question, What difference do it make? Then it struck home! That one big difference was occurring in my life! Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. I came to impact others lives, and suddenly realized it was my life that was being changed. I was beginning to see the homeless through eyes of compassion, and the men from UGM were helping me to focus on things ‘eternal’. It was my life that was being ‘sharpened." I was no longer just the one ‘giving’, but also the one ‘receiving’. Yes, I could still interact with many of the homeless and encourage them to get a pla nfor their lives which could start by coming to the Mission. I still had the opportunity to encourage them to make changes, to help fill an empty stomach and give out a warm coat. Yes, through God’s intervention and those who come to serve, lives are being impacted on Friday night.But at least on this Friday night the biggest difference was being made in me.