Where people are at their lowest, and where hope is most dismal, in the margins, you will always find Jesus.  Jesus wasn't found eating at the finest restaurants, with the most influential people of his day. He was found willingly touching lepers, eating with messed up people, and breaking all sorts of religious rules. That's our Jesus. He has a niche in finding people who most need acceptance, significance, and hope.

A few weeks ago 12 students and adults went on a mission trip to Guatemala, to minister to children and prostitutes working on what is called, "The Line". This was probably the most evil place I have ever witnessed. There appeared to be nothing but shame, lust, depression and ultimately, hopelessness. For the majority of these women, they were stuck in this environment with little hope of ever escaping. But then enters Jesus. In the midst of this dark place, a ministry was born called, "El Oasis". Every week, for the past 15 years, a group of people minister to these ladies by simply sharing just how much Jesus loves them. By the power of God, planting seed by seed, lives are being transformed. What was once broken is now being made whole!

Our hearts, in a lot of ways, are similar to these ladies'. We too, have areas in our hearts we have pushed to the margins. We’ve accumulated shrapnel from broken relationships, disappointment, shame, regret, bitterness, crippling doubt, and hopelessness…all symptoms of a heart beaten back to the margins. Remind yourself of this. Jesus is against all of it. The same way he approaches these ladies, is the same way He approaches you and I. Not with more pain or condemnation…His approach is healing. It's love. And He will never stop pursuing you.