Go Heart Your Own City

A few weeks ago, I was pushing the kids around some local shops and saw this shirt pass me by.  I’m definitely not one to be on the up and up when it comes to pop culture, so the design may have been out for years.  But, this was my first time to see it.

It makes sense that the happy, ‘I Heart New York’ shirt of our dreaming childhood years would be replaced by the cynical and sarcastic ‘Go Heart Your Own City’.  But, I can’t help but notice the profound truth behind the t-shirt message.

Mission Trips Faraway from Home

Growing up in church, every summer was filled with at least one mission trip.  We’d drive or fly far away from home to do some very basic things for people.  We’d sing some concerts, paint some walls, and lead a backyard Bible club.  Or, in further away places, we’d provide medical clinics and humanity services for poor villagers.  In these faraway places, we were quick to touch dirty hands, to feel the sweat on our brow as we worked hard throughout the day, and to speak openly and often about Jesus.

Every night, we’d worship together and share the challenges and treasures of the day. We all felt ALIVE and moved by the people we met and the opportunity to serve them. We all thought, ‘This is the Christian life.’ Life seemed to make sense in those places.

Then, we’d pack our bags and head back home. And before long, after we shared our stories and pictures at church, we’d return to life as usual. After we were once again numbed by the daily grind of everyday life, I would wonder if there were people in my own town, just like the one we’d visited, with the same needs for love through words and deeds. Of course there were…but without a planned mission trip, it was hard to know how to reach out to them.

Something’s Wrong Here

• I’m patient and understanding with a vendor on the phone but short and rude to my husband
• I have utmost respect for a pastor I listen to on the internet but speak disrespectfully about the staff at my church
• A man in rural Asia has heard the Gospel from me and knows I’m a Christian, but my neighbors have no idea
• I can pray faithfully for lost people in other countries but have lost hope for family members or others here at home

In Love with a Faraway Land

For those that don’t live in the city, a visit to New York creates a sense of awe. The smells, the people, the views-they’re so different from our everyday life.  And so, we see a vendor on the street and we buy the shirt, ‘I HEART NEW YORK.’  We’re not really in love with New York, we’re in love with the idea of New York (bright lights, big city).

In most cases, the Bible does not call us to love New York or to take a lot of short term mission trips. Though both can be good, the call of Scripture is for us to love our own city, our own neighbors, our own family. God calls us to know people intimately and to love most those we know best.

Jesus Hearts His Own City

With truths like this, I can start to despair.  It’s hard to love my own city, my own neighbors, my own family. But, strength for this love can be found by looking to Jesus.

1. He never traveled far away from home to find need, He saw the needs already around Him
2. He loved His family through faithful service and care even to His dying hour
3. He faithfully served and led just 12 close friends, letting them know Him intimately and knowing them-flaws and all
4. He didn’t just speak of LOVE, He showed it through His service and sacrifice

Do You Heart Your Own City?

Am I the only one that struggles with this?  I’d love to hear your experience with loving the people around you.  What motivates you to keep doing the difficult work of loving those nearby?

And does anyone else own this t-shirt?

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