Tuesday, February 22, 2005
My new job . . .
. . . requires me to work with people who have little or no money. In fact, if they have much more than a few bucks to their name, they're probably not qualified for our services.
. . . requires me to work with people who are rejected by society. Some because they have chosen to cope with life's challenges with the aid of alcohol and drugs. Some because they have an attraction to people of the same gender. Some because they have acted on an attraction to children. All of them have spent time "out of circulation" in jail and/or prison.
. . . requires me to work with people who I am uncomfortable being around. Body odor, dirty clothing, intoxicated, manipulative, potentially dangerous.
. . . requires me to show respect to, and non-judgementally serve all of the above.
Come to think of it, my new job asks the same things of me that Jesus does. Who knew I'd have to leave paid ministry to do that?
I'm being humbled daily at how much I've failed to live in The Way, and how much I have to learn from the man of sorrows. Please understand that these words are a form of confession, not a form of boasting.
