Have you ever heard the song Stuck in the Middle with you by the Stealers Wheels? I am sure you have, because it’s an oldie (thanks Mom).
“Clowns to the left of me, joker’s to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.”
Little remix version……
“Drug dealers to the left of me, prostitutes to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.”
Gives a different meaning right? Well that is where I was for the past week in Jaco, Costa Rica. When we arrived at our ministry host she told us that Jaco was such a dark place and that Christians were not going there. Christians would pray but would rarely send mission groups there because it was not the best area. And listen I am all about using common sense and being aware of my surroundings, however we are called to be a light in the dark places. How are we being a light if we don’t go to the dark places? So our ministry host said God told her to move to Jaco, after a mission trip she took there, and she built smack dab in the middle of the mess. She has had many teams come through the base there and B Squad got the privilege of staying there. We were stuck in the middle of the mess and enjoyed every second of being there. (Well it was super hot so maybe not those seconds ha!).
Our ministry days consisted of painting. We painted everyday and painted the light posts a beautiful piece of art to create a sense of pride and beauty in the town. We had so many locals walk by and give compliments, food, and looks of appreciation. Each local has a different background yet these light posts brought them together to feel a connection in their town. Each one of us has a different background, yet the love of the Father brings us all together. Actions speak louder than words. The simple act of inviting those that walked by to come and paint with us, seeing their faces light up when they stroked the paint brush, and feeling confident when they painted, was a moment that will replay in my head.
What I took away from our week in Jaco was to be bold. Be courageous. Step forward when no one else will. Take the lead. Embrace the Father. Listen to his calling and follow. I am not saying pack up your family and move to the bad part of town. Clearly be safe in any decision you make, but don’t live out of fear. We are not given a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind. Use that sound mind and ask the Lord where can you be a light in a dark place. It may be asking your neighbor over for dinner, volunteering at an event, being a part of an ongoing ministry, picking up trash on the side of the road; it could be wherever the Lord is leading. For me it was the World Race. And each ministry we have gone to so far has been in the middle of what is a dark place. And now to see the progress in Jaco, there is a ministry base AND two churches. Guys two churches! Like blows my mind. The light has made its way to Jaco and I pray it only gets brighter!
I challenge you to ask the Lord where can you serve in a dark place. Ask him to lead you to a place that he can use you to be an instrument for him to shine the light! Believe me, He will use you and if you get to see the fruit from it, man what a treasure!
Thank you Jaco for showing your darkness. Thank you Lord for bringing the light! Pray for Jaco to get brighter and brighter!
Shine the light of Christ in everything you do and everywhere you go! Go get stuck in the middle of somewhere!
