"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." ~ Jesus in Luke 9:23-26
Over the past few months God has been drawing me closer and closer to a life of total depravity. Exactly why, I am not sure. Possibly to bring me closer to Him by having nothing else to lean on. Possibly to show me what it's like to have nothing so that I will have a greater compassion for those who do. Possibly to jump start me into a homeless ministry. Possibly all three. Whichever reason it is, I am called to obey. I'm not called to know why I am to take up my cross and lose my life for His sake...I am just called to do it. Whatever it is. In my case, I am called to live a life of homelessness for forty days. A fast of sorts from "stuff". From all the busyness and distractions that come with a middle class life in the United States. My hope is that I can speak the words of Paul in Philippians 1:12-14 "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident in my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." I know I'm not going to be in prison but my hope is that other believers will be spurred on and challenged to take the gospel to the places that we don't want to go.
On Wednesday, February 8th, I will be getting on a bus to Waco, TX to live on the streets with the homeless community and go to the Church Under the Bridge. I am going with a couple sets of clothes, a sleeping bag, my Bible, and a journal so I can remember the things God teaches me on this journey. I have no idea where I will be staying or what I will be eating. I am leaving all of that up to God. While I am there I will figure out a way to get a bus ticket back on the 18th of March. I am so excited to see what God teaches me through this trip! I'm also extremely nervous but trusting God with the details!
The day after I get back I will post my first journal entry and post one a day after that. See you all in forty days!
SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!
Dylan Yelton
