I have spoken a lot recently on the homeless. My heart is heavy for them – not only for their plight but also for people’s perception of and response to them. How many of us cross the street or look the other way when we need to walk past a homeless person? How many of us assume they must have made poor choices that led themselves to this point? How many of us think drugs or mental illness must be involved? Yes, bad decisions, alcohol, drugs, or mental illness do sometimes play a part. But in our experience meeting so many in our travels, most everyone we’ve met just needs a break.

The homeless aren’t just bothersome deadbeats on the street corner. Really they are just like you and me. They have skills and talents. They have families, desires, and dreams. They have names and stories to share. And they have an experience – homelessness – that has grounded them in reality far deeper than we, the more fortunate, have had the opportunity to learn. We live in a world of comfort and control. (At least we like to think we have control over our lives.) The homeless have a leg up on us. They know how to live in a world without comfort or illusions of control.

Let me illustrate. What if a catastrophic event occurred and all electricity in a region went out for weeks or even months? We would live in darkness as soon as the sun set each day. Refrigerators would grow warm and food would spoil. We would have no knowledge of what was going on around us because our phones, televisions, radios, and internet wouldn’t work. For many of us, we’d have no water supply because the pumps work on electricity. Our credit cards would be useless and we couldn’t make a withdrawal from our banks. We’d be unable to travel far to get to a safer place because we couldn’t fill our tanks with gas. And the list goes on.

In this scenario, how different is any one of us than a homeless person? They have no electricity to help them see at night, nowhere to keep food for long, little communication with the outside world, difficulty finding water to drink, no means to buy things they need, and nowhere to go. As soon as we are stripped of our comfort and the illusion of having control over our lives, we become just like the homeless… with a roof still over our heads.

God forbid, that very person you see begging someday could be you… or me. Let’s see them for who they really are – people like you and me – and treat them with kindness, dignity, and compassion. Let me be clear. That means, don’t ignore them! I know for some of you, the idea of striking up a conversation with someone with which you may not have much in common with can be tough. So I have some ideas to help you out.

Cherie and I carry around blessing bags ready to hand out when we see a homeless person. A blessing bag often act as an ice breaker, an opener for more conversation. When we have the chance, we talk with them and pray with them. They are always appreciative of the time we’ve spent and the gifts we’ve given. And I know in my heart that God has heard our prayers, and some of them are now off the street and making a living in Jesus’ name.

Consider asking a homeless person about something they all know about – how to survive. Where do they get water? How do they stay safe? What do they do if they get sick? Not only will you hear part of their story and learn what it’s like to be them, you could learn some great survival tips along the way.

My last suggestion is this. Adopt a person in need. Maybe choose the person you see standing on the same street corner every week. Do something each week for him or her. Drop off a care package. Ask their name. Give them a letter of encouragement. Give them a small Bible. (I can’t tell you how often the New Testament Bible is the first thing people take out of the blessing bags we give them. They are looking for hope!) Bring them lunch. Get creative! Over time you will build rapport and trust. You may even start to look forward to your interactions. And as an extra perk, if a catastrophic event should occur, you’ll already have someone who knows what to do.

Scripture often reminds us to take care of those who are in need. Just check out the verses below in blue. It is part of God’s kingdom to have compassion and care for each other, not just those we feel comfortable around. So challenge yourself. Take one step. Then take another. If you are still hesitant, take a friend with you. You will be blessed for blessing them. (Proverbs 19:17, 22:9)

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Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

~ Hebrews 13:2

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers an sisters of mine, you did for me   ~ Matt 25:40

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.  ~ Proverbs 28:27

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  ~ 1 John 3:17

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  ~ James 2:15-16

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.  ~ Proverbs 19:17

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.  ~ Proverbs 17:5

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  ~ Isaiah 58:7

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.  ~ Proverbs 21:13

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.  ~ Proverbs 22:9