By Casey Cleveland
That almost sounds like a bumper sticker. I am not really a bumper sticker fan, but recently I have been seeing more of the I Love Delray Beach stickers on the back of cars around town. Doubtful that Jesus would roll with a bumper sticker, but I do believe with all my heart that he is totally in love with Delray Beach. The gospel writer Matthew writes it better than any bumper sticker ever could express…Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matt. 9:35).
Simple, Jesus loves the city because that is where the people live…and Jesus is very much in love with people. Of course not everyone lives in a city, please do not worry… Jesus loves the suburbs and outskirts too. But there is more. There is also incredible culture that flows from the city that has a tremendous shaping effect on the world. This too is important as we look at the story line of Scripture and how it flows. The story of God begins in a garden and ends in a city. Really? Most certainly! Check out what the Apostle John has to say about the matter in his revelation from God about how it all ends and begins again…I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
This is important especially for those who follow Jesus as their Redeemer, because it means we too get to love the city of Delray Beach. It means that it actually becomes an act of worship to God when we seek the welfare of the city, as he told his people to do in Jeremiah 29:7. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Is that not awesome or what? Translation for those who live in Delray Beach… serve the city, enjoy the city, shop in the city, use your talents in the city, eat in the city, coach in the city, mentor in the city, volunteer in the city, learn the city, create art in the city, play music in the city, act in the city, dialogue in the city, heal in the city, break generational curses in the city, feed the poor in the city… love the city.
So where do we start? A few suggestions for getting involved, serving, and enjoying what God has gifted Delray within the month of March. Go check out a performance at the Arts Garage, stop by the Green
Market on a Saturday, sign up to serve a meal at the Caring Kitchen, RSVP your spot to Savor the Ave, get up close to see the St. Paddy’s Day Parade, contact KOP, formerly the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, to mentor some wonderful children, and don’t forget… Easter on the 31st. You know it is the resurrection that makes everything new. But more to come on that next month!
Love, serve, and enjoy the city.