What is Not Asked For

8 November 2019

Hannah Weickhardt

When people ask what working at Streetlevel is like I give a different answer every time. Each day seems to revolve around what is happening in the lives of people, making it quite dynamic. Nevertheless, there is consistency in the midst of this – consistency in the values we work to demonstrate and encourage among those who we come into contact with. One of these is ‘love like Jesus’.

Working here reminds me of the people who sought out Jesus as he did his ministry; people of all appearances, backgrounds, mentalities, faiths. Many a time he was only sought for material things: food, help with finances, health issues. Jesus response was providing these things but with it came what people did not always ask for – truth, compassion, words of life.

At the reception desk people often come or phone up thinking they know what they want from the Salvation Army – food, clothing, financial help. We may give them these things but we also give what they do not ask for – truth, compassion, words of life.

Whilst we are nowhere near the excellence of Jesus in how he showed love and still shows love for people who come to him, we have a pretty fantastic model to follow. Yes we try to provide practical needs but more importantly we try engaging with where people are at – not just handing out the material things they ask but giving the more non-material things they might really need.