The Hartford Project 2011

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

The Lord has done this...  God used a group of rascally teenagers from all over the state of CT to change lives and hearts in Hartford.  But let's remember that HE, the LORD, is the one who has done this!  Teenagers cleaned, painted, played, fed, face painted, prayed.  But the LORD did so much more!

On the last day of the Hartford Project, we gathered at the State House to sing, and share the gospel message with anyone who would listen.  Many people walking the streets or sitting out for their lunch break came to see what we were doing.  As this was going on, I overheard someone from the Hartford Project speaking with a couple of on lookers.  I heard him explaining to these folks all the many things that our groups had done throughout the week.  He talked about the cleaning, and the painting, and the playing etc.  But as I was listening to him, I never once heard him talk about what God was doing and what God had already done just to get him there.  I'm sure that he meant well.  I'm sure he had no idea that anyone, let alone me (a silly eaves dropper), could come to the conclusion that he was just bragging about the things he had done.  But I learned something that surprised me as I listened and watched.

It's so easy to talk about what we do or have done.  We feel good about talking about these kinds of things usually.  I can very easily picture myself doing the same thing as the man that I over heard.  I wish that it would come more naturally to me to talk about the things the Lord has done and is doing in my life.  I wish I would see every conversation that I have with a stranger as an opportunity to share the ultimate thing that the Lord has done in sending His Son to be my replacement on the cross.  The Lord has done so many incredible things and none of them top that great thing he did so long ago!

God sent His son, Jesus, out of His great love for us.  Jesus lived a perfect life in complete obedience and submission to God's will out of His great love for us.  He took our sin out of His great love for us.  He gave His righteousness to us and out of that righteousness we are now able to serve others.  That is the greatest thing.  That is the message I wish I had more opportunities to share with the people of Hartford and all the people that I come to meet.  Lord, would you make me bold and stouthearted?  Psalm 138:3