Christianity in Action: The Dropbox

Of all of the so-called "Christian" films I have watched these past few years, none have captured my heart like The Dropbox.

What makes The Dropbox stand out is that there are no actors, but is film footage of a Church living out what it means to be followers of Christ. No cheesy plots, no stars aligning so that two love interests can find each other.

This film takes place in Seoul, South Korea at a Church called "God's Love." Pastor Lee has built a "baby box" or "baby drop box" on the outside of his house so that unwanted babies would no longer be abandoned on the streets and die.

But Pastor Lee wasn't always passionate about these abandoned children. Like in the U.S., many parents abandon or give up their child for adoption if their child has disabilities. Teen moms find themselves in dire situations. Without the support of their families, Churches, or schools, many do not have any way to care for their children. Talking about the desperate young mothers, Pastor Lee says, "When the [pregnant] girls contact them, every single one is suicidal....Deathly afraid they'll have no support, no help....The young moms say, 'Either way, my life will be over so I want to kill myself and my baby.' So this [drop box] is the only way to save both."

But Pastor Lee's story is amazing in itself. His second son was born with severe physical and mental disabilities. When he first saw his son, he asked why God would give him "that kind of baby." Not even 30 seconds later, his focus in life shifted and he said, "Thank you God for giving me this child." Through his son, he saw the value and dignity of human life.

The Lee's spent the next 14 years living in the hospital and ending up adopting four kids, each with disabilities. When asked about the time, having sold their house to pay for medical bills and living in the hospital, he humbly remarked, "We never faced any major troubles."

Soon after being released from the hospital people started leaving babies at their door. One of the first children was named Hanna. Hanna had encephalopathy was was abandoned by her middle school mom who was also on drugs. Despite all this, Pastor Lee cared for Hanna. After six years, "she was taken to be in heaven" in his own words. Hanna never had the ability to talk or to care for herself, but Pastor Lee heartbreakingly describes her death. Looking back, he saw than every moment he spent caring for her was precious.

After hearing about a baby box in Brazil, Pastor Lee decided to build his own. Children were already being left at his door step. With trembling, he built the tiny box with a pressure activated door-bell. Above the drop box is the verse Psalm 27:10 "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Pastor Lee says,  "I never expected any babies. I prayed, please don't let any babies be abandoned, only if his life is in danger..." But the babies came--over 350 babies had come through the box at the time of the film.

When asked why he does all this, he simply replied, "I can't be here and not do anything about it."


One of Lee's adopted children was interviewed and asked what it was like to live at the house with the drop box. "It is like heaven. Then [the door-bell rings] and it is like heaven is at war."  He continues to describe Pastor Lee's disabled son Eun-man, "I believe God made the baby box because of Eum-man. God purposely blessed, not cursed, Eun-man to build the baby box, and I'm really glad that he did."

"God sent them to earth with their disabilities. They're not the unnecessary ones. They teach people. They live with smiles on their faces."

This film did not tell you how you should live your life, or how to be more "Christian." It simply told the story of some courageous Christians, humbly caring for the "least of these."

What has made me come to the conclusion that Christianity is real is not some clever argument. It wasn't some verse that "just jumped out" at me. It wasn't "puzzle pieces" falling into place. It wasn't even the gospel.

For a long time, Jesus just seemed like some nice figure that someone had made up. Because of the bullying that I faced at Church, I couldn't see how someone would believe that Jesus was really who he said he was. After all, it was his so-called followers that were bullying me. But then I saw people that really lived out their faith.

They lived like Jesus. You could see Jesus through them. I so often felt unnecessary at Church because I struggled to read the Bible and memorize verses like the other kids. But people like Pastor Lee convinced me that Christianity was real.

They loved unconditionally.
Gave sacrificially.
And recklessly pursued their God.
All the while, quietly beckoning others do do the same.

They forfeited their own lives so that they could be God's ambassadors on earth.

We Are Orlando

After the recent shooting that happened, the phrase "We are Orlando" as been floating around social media.

This struck a chord with me. It reminds me of the phase "We are the Body [of Christ]." When one of the members is grieving, we grieve with them. When one of the members rejoices, we rejoice with them. When one of the of the members is hurt, we hurt with them.

The phrase "We are Orlando" communicates the same thing. It declares that we are one people and that we all hurt when there is injustice and pain. It gives the same feeling of togetherness that Christianity is supposed to inspire.

What happened that day in Orlando was wrong. End of story.  So what if it happened at a gay night club? Does that make their suffering any less real? Does that some how make them less of a person?

NO!

Do we think that a Christian that over eats is less of a person? NO! Yet gluttony is one of the seven most deadly sins. Or do we think that the suffering of a person with pride is any less than the suffering we endure? NO! Yet God opposes the proud.

What if we removed the logs out of our own eyes so that we could see the world with love and compassion? Jesus, when he was here had the holy right to judge people for what they had done, but with his dying breaths, he said, "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do!" Only Jesus has the right to judge. It is and never was our place to judge anyone, but to treat every person with the love and compassion that Jesus showed. The kind of love that forgives its killer. That love will stand out even more than neon.

As a group, Christians have failed the one real task we had: Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself. Upon these two commandments rest all the law and the prophets.

Christians were supposed to be Love incarnate.
But instead many see us as Hate incarnate. And not without reason.

Here is the thing about the Gospel. Angry people need the Gospel.Prideful people need the Gospel. Lazy people need the Gospel. Good people need the Gospel. Bad people need the Gospel. Tall people need the Gospel. Short people need the Gospel. Gay people need the Gospel. Hardworking people need the Gospel. Bloggers need the Gospel.
And in cased I missed you:

Everyone needs the Gospel!

Every community needs the Gospel. 

Many Churches has chosen to neither praise or denounce the shooting. This is the coward's way. What happened was evil by every measure--and beyond evil by the measure of the Bible.  

To stand passively on the sidelines, unwilling to do anything, is the same as supporting it. For the Churches that won't pick a side--history has chosen your side. You have sided with the terrorists. For you, Love has lost and Hate has won. 

For the Churches who have condoned and denounced this shooting. For the Churches that accept ALL people as people who God loves. For the Churches that hold fast to the Bible in truth and Love. I can truly say that Love has won. You are the true image of the Church and the true Church. Churches were never meant to be places of judgement, but rather a gathering of imperfect people worshiping a perfect God. 

So, go! Embrace those who are suffering because of this act of Hate. Seek justice for the marginalized, love mercy and give mercy to all you meet, and walk humbly with your God.