For many years, I have questioned the veracity of gentrification in Mott Haven. However, defiance to the idea fosters ill-equipped ignorance. Cities change. Neighborhoods change. Historically, communities of need have become communities of affluence. Locals decry the inevitable while the engines of enterprise and the cranes of capitalism tear down and rebuild. In the process, vulnerable individuals have no choice but to move and the beauty of interwoven community is replaced with fabricated synthetics.
God however is doing more than we dare ask or think. He is building a city. That city is safe, with huge walls; yet there is freedom. The gates are always open. People walk the gold streets where there is no more poverty or pain. A river runs through the city, just like in Eden. On both sides of this river is a tree. The multifaceted fruit of this tree is life and the healing of the nations. Racism is no more. We will have no more darkness or confusion; God is the light. We are blessed by His presence. His kingdom has come, His will done.
What would it look like for God to build a neighborhood like that right here in my neighborhood of Mott Haven. What would I need to do to be a part of building that neighborhood? I would need to fully equip children, teens, and families to be included in the burgeoning economy. I wouldn’t want them to gain the world and lose their soul, so I would need to share the Gospel and disciple believers. I would need to unite the local church, after all, in the end we are the Bride of Christ, not brides.
What would it look like for God to build a city like that right here in New York City? What would I need to do to be a part of building that city? I would need to raise up, disciple, and send others to communities of need across New York City while providing them a stable platform to receive support, mentoring, and fellowship.
What would it look like for God’s will to be done across our entire country? What would I need to do to be a part of building that kingdom? I would need to train individuals and churches in well-grounded principles—theological, missiological, and practical. The church is perfectly resourced and equipped across large swaths of our country to impact communities of need. Churches have the facilities, expertise, people-power, capital, and motivation to love individuals and communities of need. Imagine, if the churches united together as the Church! Ironically, the church may think they need to save communities of need; however, communities of need may be God’s way of saving the church.
In most the instances of “I” above, I realize that it can’t be only me. God has already provided an amazingly equipped team at Graffiti 2 and across the Graffiti Network. However, God will need to send individuals with expertise and skills beyond what we currently possess. The reality, in all of the shallow uses of the word “I,” I or we can’t do anything . . .God has to do everything.
However, I’ve been reminded recently the following verses:
The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. Hebrews 10:39
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. Habakkuk 2:3
So with all of this in mind, I believe God has given us a vision for Graffiti 2. It hasn’t changed, but perhaps it was only a glimmer of what He was going to do. It’s expanding and I’m sure as written here, it fails to compare to what He is going to do. After all, He has proven faithful to do more than we dare ask or think.