Okay, I fixed it...it was translating every letter I typed into Hindi...so now that random post says, in Hindi, "Today was a weird day. It's even weird right now as it is changing everything I type into Arhmaic (I think)." I don't know how to spell Aramaic...
Anyways...my friends are having a party today...we went shopping...at WinCo...with lots of people around...
I realized something.
First--I don't go out into my community much, not really. For several years, my version of Redding was, "People there are so joyful, it's my favorite place in the world to be." Last year my version was, "It's the place where I am known, there's isn't a space like it in all the world." A few months ago: "There are some broken, hurting people living in this city. I see it in their kids everyday." Today: "We aren't who we should be."
I'm learning more and more that we were created for a different world. That thought, even writing that sentence, brings a smile of genuine joy to my face.
But we're not there.
My blog is called "Here in the Waiting" from the title of a Laura Hackett song. (She's amazing, check her out). I am in the waiting in a lot of areas in my life: my dreams, especially for Haiti; love and all that comes with it; my career; family members...I don't have answers. But I do have hope! Jesus...
So many people don't.
I noticed them today...they look tired, pale...you look at these faces and some of them are half alive. So many people at WinCo in Redding today were not living...not enjoying...not as they should be....
I couldn't stop looking at these faces. I was thinking of the Eric and Leslie Ludy book called "Meet Mr. Smith" where he details his experience meeting "Mr. Marvelous". Mr Marvelous is the personification of all that we should be growing into: stately without being pompous, quiet strength, deep compassion, love...when Eric meets this man, he realizes all he must grow into (the full stature of the measure of Christ). I was trying to see if anyone fit this description in any way, shape, or form in WinCo--and maybe its not the best place to look--but it was scary to me just how far all of us were. There's a lot you can tell by looking at a person--how healthy they are, whether they are happy, where they put their thoughts. You watch their interactions, within their families and with others, and you see either a person who holds himself with dignity and treats others with gentleness or you see...people just getting what they need without interacting, shifty eyes, tired...I don't know...
There is a glory meant to shine on our faces...freedom meant to be shining out of our eyes...grace flowing in every movement...but when the fall came, we all lost it. I can almost see the moment: the people who were up, walking, talking, fully alive...suddenly all fall to the ground in an instant as a filmy curtain envelops the scene. Some, because of Christ's sacrifice, break free and live in light. I see it in people at Bethel and at the Stirring, some of my friends...but so many...
I guess I saw what it means to be lost today.
Cry alone, die alone
pray alone, stay alone
-lyrics from the Glen Hansard song I am listening to
And don't these lyrics perfectly describe what we are without Jesus?
I feel sad right now...I love seeing the world, actually looking past what I am doing and seeing people around me...but sometimes it...you can fill in the blank...
I pray that wherever you are and whatever you do, you would see the world today in all its blessing and all its beauty. Notice the people around you in a grocery store. Take time to say "hi" to a neighbor...let love mark your footsteps. The world so desperately needs it.
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