Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Friends in Low Places

This blog was posted by 360 church in Berkeley, California. Their lead pastor, Earl Creps, is someone I have met and respect. -P.Randy


» Posted by on Jun 13, 2012 in Berkeley, Faith
Friends in Low Places
In Berkeley there are poor people and there are street people.

Sometimes its really hard to tell the difference between the two.  Indeed the lines of distinction can sometimes cross over and intersect.

Not all the time but sometimes street people choose their lifestyle.  They give away belongings and embark on a journey with nothing but a backpack and end up begging for money on the streets of cities.

Usually street people are in packs with other street people and have creative cardboard signs that say things like “Too Lazy to Rob” or “Smile if you woke up today”.  Recently one just had two words, the second word was “You” and the first was a four letter word.  They tell each other about good places to sleep, steal, and solicit.

These kinds of individuals have a reputation with many of the other sub-groups in the city, especially the business people and young professionals.  Like Bruce Wayne these individuals burn their wallets and live just by what comes their way.

I have to admit even though I’ve stopped to talk with a few of them to hear their stories, I still wonder what they’re thinking.  I wonder why in the world anyone would choose that kind of life.  I have thought they must be mentally disturbed, or not been held enough as a child.  They must have a point they’re trying to prove. They must need to do this in order to show they reject society. It makes them feel better.

Then as I kneel on the floor to fold my hands awaiting the help of someone I call my God, I realize that I don’t look all that different from the street people.

I kneel on a carpeted floor to next to my bed.
They kneel on concrete sidewalks next to buildings.
We both ask for help for what we’re up against.

I am just another beggar who has found bread trying to point my pack to this bread.

What if we were as adamant on relying on something other than ourselves for our future as our friends in low places?

1 comment:

  1. This is a great entry. Thanks for sharing Pastor Randy. Here's hoping I can be a better beggar.

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