Wednesday 20 Sep
How three people are living as alongsiders right where they are.
Mel | Silk Road Area
I am learning what it means to be an alongsider in my context on the Silk Road, which is quite different from life in Sydney!
I am part of a fitness group here, and God is teaching me that being an alongsider in this group not only means exercising and encouraging healthy lives with each other, but also celebrating birthdays and babies, being part of a micro loan program and going out for tea and dancing once a month. And sometimes it means eating a second dinner when you bump into your friends on an evening stroll and are invited for dinner and dessert!
Steve | Australia
In recent years, there has been significant flooding in our area (Lismore, NSW) which has caused pain and major damage to the community. As a church we have tried to practically and relationally respond to our community’s needs.
We want to share God’s love through word and deed. And something I am learning is that being a people of love is less about what we do to people or even for people, but that it’s something we do with people.
Being an alongsider is about noticing where God is at work. Because He is at work! It’s not about trying to contrive, create or force something... but it’s about having our eyes open for where there is Gospel curiosity and being ready to open that door when people want it.
Hear more from Steve in episode 3 of the Alongsiders podcast series >>
Kath | Mozambique
One of the things that God has been saying to me over many years is to listen well. The ability to be attentive to both what God is doing and what is going on for people is very powerful. I don’t always get it right, but as I seek to be a peacemaking alongsider, I am seeking to be an attentive listener.
Hear more from Kath in episode 2 of the Alongsiders podcast series >>
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This an excerpt of an article from Resonate magazine. Read the full piece on pages 9 - 10 of Resonate 41 >>
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