My friend Luke Whitmire, who serves at Cross and Crown Mission which actively serves a neighborhood in central OKC, shared the following story in tweets today:
Yesterday a known drug dealer in the neighborhood asked to talk to me. Known him for years & talked several times. This time was different.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
Said he was done doing it his way. Staying high 2 suppress the pain/reality. I asked him what changed & he said he wanted 2 do it God's way.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
Told God to take over. Then he asked me to help him the next few days as drug 'friends' came to smoke/buy from him. He wanted help telling..
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
..ppl he was done w/it. Told him (in fear & uncertainty) I would support him anyway I could. Car rolled up as we were talking & I knew…
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
..who it was. Confronted the vehicle. Told them the deal. Things got tense. Got cussed out. Neighbor stepped in & backed me & they left.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
That night neighbor left a voicemail. Thanked me for backing him up. Told him I was honored to play a part. Then he wept & hung up.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
My point: don't assume or generalize 'those people' or 'that person' as 'the other' or not like 'us'. We are all image bearers of God.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
We are all redeemable.
— Luke Whitmire (@lukewhitmire1) February 28, 2014
