Too Messed Up for Church
March 3, 2012
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Below is an excerpt from my latest newsletter.
Too Messed Up for Church
A few weeks ago while on a walk with Shiloh down University Way, I came across a guy who I will call Joel. I used to see him often around Scum, but lately not so much. I said that I missed him and asked how he was doing. When he responded, it was quickly evident from his words and breath that he was a bit intoxicated.
In this case, though, it turned out for the better. Alcohol, especially enough of it, seems to lower people’s guard and impair their filters. I’m sure we’ve all seen this take a destructive turn in someone’s life but I was actually thankful for how it gave me a deeper glimpse into the life of a man who is usually more reserved and distant.
He shared, “Man, I’m too messed up for church. I try to be good, but I just can’t do it. I also got locked up again, which is why I haven’t been around. And when I was in jail, I lost my scholarship to school, and the place I was living. Can’t go back. So, yeah, it doesn’t really make sense for someone like me to be in a church.”
So I told him, “You know, though, from what I know of Jesus, he’d probably prefer to spend his day hanging out with you than me or most of the folks at Scum who are doing ok right now. Jesus compared himself to a doctor, who isn’t there for the healthy people, but the sick. Church isn’t a group of perfect people, but a group of people who understand they need God’s help.” I told him that I loved him, and urged him to come back that night to get some warm food, dry off, maybe take a nap on a couch.
And he did come that night. But I was real bothered by that conversation with Joel, and I still am. What a heart-breaking, humbling thing to hear! He helped me to realize 1.) We are not always communicating in our words and life together what we thought and hoped we were. 2.) Even a name like Scum of the Earth isn’t going to communicate on its own that Jesus loves imperfect people. We can’t rely on our name to copout of our responsibility to love one another as Jesus loved us.
Pray for us in this. I sincerely believe that Jesus is good news for all people, but especially people who are poor, oppressed, lonely, etc.
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Categories: Church, Homelessness, Jesus, Newsletters, Scum of the Earth
church, jail, Jesus, u-district
