Authentic Relationships
Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by
"Don't you feel like there is a lot of weight on your shoulders? Everyone always wants something from you! I would hate that." Juan, 11, was surprisingly insightful as we drove to the grocery store yesterday. In City Life, we seek to build long-term, Christ-centered relationships with urban youth, because we believe this is key to true life transformation.
Building these authentic relationships isn't easy. Among the many things that can get in the way is falling into a "giver/receiver" pattern, ie, you're poor and I'm not, I have what you need/want, and you have nothing of value. If a relationship is based on dependency, (I need a ride), then once there is no need (I have a car), there is no relationship. It's hard. When you choose to live in the 'hood, you get asked for a lot of stuff. What are the true needs that we need to help meet to show Christs' love, and when are we just being used or sold a story? When are we hurting more than we're helping?
Would you take a moment today to pray for authentic relationships with the urban youth in our city? Kids like Juan are starting to understand that real relationships are better than cheap giveaways. They are starting to understand the real relationship that Christ is offering them. Of course that didn't stop him from asking me to buy about 50 things for him when we got to the store. Hey, real change takes time 
Jason Carrigan, City Life
Here are a couple of great resources if you'd like to learn more about this topic:
When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton
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