The Replacements.

So much to say, but so little time to say it. Somewhat because I don’t want this post to be too long, but mostly because I am tired. It may be the city that never sleeps, but I’m a rebel. So I’ll try to be short with this!

Anyways, today was my first Sunday worshipping at the Gallery. It was so good! Whenever I work for a new church or ministry, there’s always a little bit of a fear when it comes to theology and doctrine. What a website says can sometimes be entirely different from what is actually being taught. That fear, however, quickly disappeared this morning! Freddy (the senior pastor of the Gallery) taught and practically went through the Bible Interp steps. Dr. Duvall would have been very proud! Haha But seriously, it was an incredible first Sunday! We even fellowshipped at Madison Square for lunch after the first service, which was super fun! It was such an encouragement to know that I am sitting under solid biblical teaching this summer. I can’t wait to learn all I can from everyone here. They’re incredible!

On a different note, this is something either God’s showing me or I’m just now seeing it in a condensed form. New York City is one of the most famous cities in the world. There are celebrities, rich families whose money goes back to who knows when, and people doing anything it takes to reach their dreams. I’m not trying to say that there’s anything wrong with any of that. But they’re chasing the wrong things. They’ve traded an original for a knock-off, a replacement. Replacements aren’t always bad things on their own. They can be good things. But they will never satisfy. My room at home and my dorm at school are equipped with this beautiful piece of technology called an “air-conditioner”. It is an absolutely glorious invention! In my Harlem home, however, I do not have one of those. My air conditioner at home that kept me cool has been replaced with an Atlantic Breeze fan on the dresser in my room. Granted, the fan is better than not having anything at all. I am very thankful that I have this fan. It does the job to a beautiful level of mediocrity. But it is nowhere near the air-conditioner. If I had the choice, there would be an air-conditioner in my room tonight. Replacements will never fully satisfy.

I have no doubt that the people in this city know that there’s some place inside that isn’t quite filled yet. Because of that, they are pouring in almost everything available: drugs, alcohol, work, money, relationships, fame. They are utterly convinced that if they just reach that next level, the voice inside will stop saying “there has got to be something more than just this.” But with every new level they reach, they see one more step they have to climb. With every advance, it feels like they’ve taken two steps back. Instead of being filled, they are drained, tired, and frustrated. Because they are settling for a replacement, even if they don’t realize that’s what they’re doing. They are looking for something or someone to keep them safe. To make them secure. To promise them a future. If they only knew! If they only knew how easily that could be found! If only they could meet one more person. Because this One has so much more to offer them. He left perfection (which is a big deal by itself) to come to this little planet humanity managed to completely mess up. He left His throne room and became homeless for them. Because He knew the punishment headed they’re way. And He knew they couldn’t do anything to stop it. Even though the consequences were from their own actions, He loved these people too much to not step into the situation. So the King became like a ragdoll, like one of us. And He lived with less money than a poor college student doing a summer internship in a big city. He ran to stand in front of the business executive, the movie star, the struggling actor, and the guy that runs the fruit stand. He stretched his arms around them in utter protection. The King of Kings, my Lord, willingly did that for each of the people smushed into the tiny subway car I somehow managed to fit into Friday morning.

But most of them have no idea.

“But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ ” -Romans 10.14-15

Oh, that I might have beautiful feet this summer for the sake of His name!