Barrier Breaking Thoughts

“No hay nada como la patria de uno”

Anyway, as usual I had the privilege to talk with some people today. I spoke with a man who was telling me how he used to live in Miami and how he really loved it. He said he really loved the atmosphere. Which I understood. I mean I know I always loved the Cuban community. It really got me to think. I’ve always been hesitant about going back to Miami but who knows. Maybe I’ll have to swallow my words, like I have many times before and go back to Florida. Knowing my life, that will happen. Its only natural. It’s happened before. Anyway, then I spoke to another woman. Her name I don’t remember. I don’t even think she said it. We spoke for a while. And she said something that reminded me of my grandparents: “No hay nada como la patria de uno”. There’s something about someone’s background that they have pride in. Made me think.

My family has a huge sense of cultural pride. So what does that mean, then? In regards to God? Did not God make all people groups? I think God loves it when all peoples love each other with the love of God that transcends any cultural barrier. Why? Because the one thing we would have in common would be the saving grace of Christ. What a beautiful day that would be, huh? Where the grace and love of God clothes His people and causes people to live in humility and service to one another. I don’t know. That’s something I think about. Being in the city I’ve seen so many people make up these invisible lines of hatred. And it’s broken my heart. You know one of the things I’d like to see my church do is reach out to our own community. Not that there’s anything wrong with reaching out to the other side of Humbolt Park but why don’t we reach out to the people where our church is? I mean, they need hope too right? They need Christ too right? I don’t know. These are just things I think about. The point is everyone needs community. I would hate to have our church move out of our own neighborhood and have those people in the neighborhood not even know who we were. Even worse, that we did nothing for them.

I look at culture as one of the extra things that He’s given us. He made us, and graciously put us into our heritage. And I really believe, that for some of us who have a desire to reach out to another culture—that’s a God given desire! And I think that Christians should take advantage of that! And I know it’s not just me. I know people who have that desire to see cultural barriers broken down. However, I am aware that we are not in a perfect world. But maybe I’m wrong, but if we want to see His kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, should it not reflect those things that dwell around God? Like mercy and grace, and love, and forgiveness, joy, peace, and everything else in between. I try and think about Heaven and I lose my mind. I think about how different people groups from everywhere around the world will give praise to the one who made them. It wont be about us. It will be about the Lord.

…… Isnt that a beautiful thought? Yes, indeed. It’s a heavenly thought.

March 6th 2009.

March 6^th 2009

You know why I like walks in the city so much? Because you see so much. You see people walking, homeless people sitting, drivers pissed off at the world, people crossing the street when they know they shouldnt, and of course, cab drivers that have no patience. As you can probably tell already, I went for a walk today.

I went to Walgreens. A local favorite place I go to. I had to take out some money so I thought I’d get some cash back at Walgreens. I bought a raspberry iced tea—which is always faithful. Every time I get a raspberry iced tea, I remember the time that I first came to Chicago. I was fascinated! It was so different from where I was from. I would walk the streets thinking to myself how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful city and place in life. It was something different. The new season in my life that I had been anticipating...and I knew God was trying to deal with me. He opened up doors for me to come to Chicago--and that keeps me so humble.

So as I was walking I was listening to music—of course. My ipod is ATTACHED to me. I hardly go anywhere without it. It is a necessary thing. Perhaps it’s an idol I need to get rid of, but God is working on me!

Anyway, as I was walking, I began to pray. I prayed about so many things…my life. Ministry. Life in general. Family. Relationships. My relationship. Everything else in between. And as I was walking—God gave me so much peace. I was at peace. I’ve been known for being anxious about everything. Flying on planes. Grades. Life. Just about everything. Its hard for me to believe that in invisible God can take care of things—where I on the other hand can get things done and do things on my own. But lo and behold, there I was walking. And I was at peace. Peace. I had a paper to do. Was I worried about it? No. I had fears about endless things. Was I afraid? No. I had to pack for my trip back home. Did I pack? No. Crazy. I had peace. On that note…I guess I just wanted to mention that in the middle of a crazy world—especially in the city where you have cars, ambulances, cops, homeless people, angry people..I found peace. Or did peace find me? Who knows. All I know is that I walked humbly with my God in peace.