Our family had the best time this past Saturday as we joined with this incredible group of people to work a yard sale at Community Lodgings, one of nine RestoreDC partners throughout the city.  We were able to raise some money for the great work Community Lodgings does in transitioning families from homelessness to self-sufficiency and we were able help resident in the Chirilagua neighborhood get some much needed household items at great prices.  I loved knowing similar things were happening at 8 other partners around the city.  All together over a hundred people from Restoration City covered over 165 shifts from Thursday evening – Sunday afternoon.

Whenever we go into one of our RestoreDC weekends, I’m reminded of two passages in Isaiah that capture so much of what we’re asking God to do.  Isaiah 58:12 says, “And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.”  And Isaiah 61:4 goes on to say, “They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”  Oh, how I long for us to be the restorers of this city.  How I long for us to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness of poverty, homelessness, and hopelessness.  How I long for our church to have an undeniably positive impact on the community around us….to be a beacon of hope and an unpost of freedom for those who need it.   And I pray we do it all in a way that glorifies God, not ourselves.  Matthew 5:16 makes it really clear that we should serve in such a way that God gets all the credit, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

When our hearts beat for the restoration of this city and for the glory of God, we won’t be content with just doing RestoreDC two weekends a year.  That’s our deepest desire for RestoreDC – that it will be a catalyst to ongoing service throughout the year.  So, if you’re wondering what to do now that RestoreDC is over, the answer is simple.  Go to our website and get information about our external partners, see what their needs are and get involved!

I love the desire for restoration that underlies everything we do at Restoration City.  I’m praying we will all embody this more and more by the grace of God.