The Reality of St. Louis
St. Louis is so much more than the Arch and toasted ravioli. Beyond the food, the free zoo, and an undying commitment to struggling sports teams, what makes St. Louis truly special is the people. While we can be a bit loyal to our certain circles (always asking where you went to high school), we have a wonderful mix of Midwestern warmth and Southern hospitality. The people are kind, caring, and genuine. While we know our city is not perfect, we are proud of it and will defend it against anyone who dares say their city’s pizza is better.
However, beneath the surface, all of those wonderful people are still struggling with something. In the inner city, especially North St. Louis, crime rates place St. Louis as one of the most dangerous cities in the county every year. However, this is not just an inner city problem. Others have done studies that found St. Louis was one of the most sinful cities in the country, struggling especially with anger and jealousy. Yet more bad news, people across the country are lonelier, more anxious, and more depressed than ever before. These problems reach across races and county lines, affecting people whether they live in the comfort of Chesterfield or the poverty of North city.
Why? Because St. Louis has a heart problem. People are struggling to find meaning, dealing with anger from the frustration of where they are at or how they are treated, and ultimately have a dissatisfaction with where they are in life. Do you find yourself jealous when your neighbor gets a new car? Disappointed because you thought you would be farther than you are right now? Or maybe you are discomforted by the fact that while you have a good job and a good home, life still somehow feels empty, like there should be more to it than this.
People have tried to solve this problem in multiple ways. Whether through protests, new laws, school strategies, and more, yet the problems still remain. The Bible actually tells us that this world is so broken because of what it calls sin (Romans 3:23). People try to solve heart problems by searching for more money, more success, more relationships, ultimately to be left disappointed every time. The only thing that can solve a heart problem is faith. Faith can give you the hope you need. It can offer peace, purpose, and community that can leave you with a whole new experience in life. And Jesus is the only one powerful enough to do it.
How Jesus Brings Real Hope
So how can Jesus bring real hope? First off, He offers a peace that I have never experienced anywhere else. The Bible actually calls it a “peace which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, New King James Version). In a world that struggles with constant worries and anxious thoughts, peace can still your mind, and give you a comforting sense that everything will be alright. In a city where anger and violence are prevalent, peace might seem impossible. Yet, we have witnessed that Jesus’ perfect peace is something that has even transformed the lives of drug dealers, gang leaders and murderers. When nothing else has worked, and it makes no sense to find peace because everything is going wrong, Jesus offers you a peace that surpasses your understanding.
Beyond spiritual peace, faith in Jesus can give your life meaning and purpose! The Bible actually says that God has plans for you to prosper and to have a hopeful future (Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version). But this is because He invites you to be a part of His mission. What was Jesus mission? He says it this way: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, NIV). When you give your life to Christ and encounter the relationship He offers, the peace, hope, and joy He brings, you now have the opportunity to bring that to everyone you meet who needs it. You can join in on God’s mission to seek and save the lost by sharing with them what God has done for you, and what He can do for them as well.
Beyond that, in a time when people are more connected digitally than ever before, they are also lonelier than ever before. Making friends no longer comes easily. Faith in Jesus brings with it a community of believers who want to love you, give you encouragement, and do life together with you. This life was not meant to be done alone. Jesus actually tells us that everyone will know who His followers are because they will love one another (John 13:35, NIV). If you are feeling isolated and without any idea how to even make friends, Jesus offers Himself alongside His church, the most diverse organization in the world, as the solution to the loneliness you are feeling.
How Can You Find Hope Today?
If you want to experience how faith can transform your life today, then you are in luck! I want to leave you with three steps that you can take right now to begin experiencing the hope that Jesus offers.
1. Ask Jesus for Peace
In the book of Psalms, it says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 24:8, NIV). You can actually experience that peace which surpasses all understanding by seeking Jesus. Pray to Jesus and simply as Him to reveal Himself to you. Tell Him about whatever situation you are facing right now, and ask Him for that peace which surpasses all understanding, and watch how He responds. If you have been far from Him or have never known Him, commit your life to Him. Jesus wants to save, heal, and deliver you in every aspect of our life, but He will not do it without your invitation. The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, NIV). If you will accept Him today, He will come live in your heart and will never leave you nor forsake you. It is the best choice you will ever make if you want to see your life transformed.
2. Commit to His Mission
Find someone who you can tell about what Jesus has done in your life. Find someone who you can serve. Many times we can struggle with something for so long because we cannot stop thinking about it. Yet, when we place others first, it has a way of healing ourselves as well. The Bible describes it this way, “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25, NIV). God put you on this earth for a purpose greater than yourself. And you can find the meaningful life God intended for you by going on mission with Him to seek and save the lost.
3. Join a Community
Find a church where you can do life together with Christians. We at Revelation Church STL offer opportunities to be a part of weekly small group gatherings where you can grow closer to God and others in a safe and friendly community. I would also love you invite you to be a part of our launch team. We are launching a new church start up in St. Louis later this year and would love for you to be a part. We need people who are hungry to volunteer alongside others to impact St. Louis and the world with the hope of Jesus Christ, and we cannot accomplish that without you. So what are you waiting for, sign up using one of the links below!
Like This Post? Share it on socials using the quick links below with others who need to read it!
Join a Small Group
You were not meant to do life alone! Come join us for a fun, laid-back group where you can make friends and grow closer to God together!
Join the Launch Team
Are you ready to live on mission and fulfill the calling God had on your life to help others and reach the lost? Sign up to be a part of the launch team!