Death to Life

Yesterday, just after we closed the Family Room, a fire truck pulled up in front of Jesus on Colfax.

That isn't unusual on East Colfax. Sirens are part of the soundtrack of our neighborhood. But when the truck stopped in front of our building, our staff jumped up to see what was happening.

One of our friends was lying unconscious on the ground.

The EMTs quickly began assessing the situation and asked those standing nearby what had happened. No one seemed to know. As I watched, I suggested they administer Narcan. Seconds later, as they rubbed his chest, he took a deep breath and came back to consciousness.

Later, as we prayed for him, I found myself praying that this would be more than a close call. I prayed that God would use it as a wake-up call. That this moment would become a turning point. That he would decide he doesn't want to keep living this way. We often find this to be true, that a day that could be someone’s worst day, because one of the best days of their life because they decide to make a change. 

As I prayed, I thought about going from death to life and remembered a baptism we celebrated a few weeks ago.

One of our RISE participants was baptized at Heights Church, one of our partner churches. In baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. 

We cheered as he came up from the water celebrating new life in Christ!

What a contrast.

One man lying on the ground, barely breathing, rescued from physical death.

Another man standing in the water, celebrating that he has been rescued from spiritual death as he celebrates new life.

And yet both moments point to the same truth: God is in the business of bringing dead things back to life. 

This year we are praying that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done on Colfax as in heaven. This is life-and-death work.

Every day we meet people who are struggling with addiction, homelessness, trauma, isolation, and hopelessness. We also get the incredible privilege of watching God write new stories. Stories of recovery. Stories of reconciliation. Stories of purpose. Stories of resurrection.

Thank you for being part of that work.

Because of your prayers, generosity, volunteering, and partnership, people are not just surviving. They are finding new life.

Please pray for our friend who overdosed yesterday. Pray that this moment would become a turning point. And pray for our RISE participants, Family Room members, and friends on Colfax who are taking courageous steps toward healing and wholeness.

This is life-and-death work.

And we serve a God who raises people from death to life.

Kayla Horne
Executive Director