So I have the distinct pleasure of living downtown. Okay, so downtown Lincoln, IL is not downtown Chicago or New York. The hustle and bustle of life stops here pretty much by 5 PM. The nightlife is limited to a few local pubs and some restaurants that dare to stay open past 7:00. On the upside, just got a brand new coffeeshop - so my withdrawl will be satisfied. But nonetheless we are positioned in the heart of this community.
As I walked all 4 city blocks that make up downtown the thought struck me "am I just a consumer of this community?" Now granted I am a consumer - I will consume coffee from the coffeeshop. I will consume or at least buy guitar strings from the music show. I will feast on amazing Italian from Guzzardo's. Outside of all my consumptions am I contributing back to this community? Sure I work in a church, but that does not equal making a contribution to the town.
As followers of Christ I think we need to look for ways to give back. As churches we need to be leading the way in contributing instead of just consuming. As an individual, I need to be seeking out those that could just a cup of encouragement, a measure of joy and a dash of hope in their lives. I am challenged not just to be a consumer, but somehow to be a contributor to my downtown.
