clothe yourself with humility

I had dinner with friends last night who raised some good questions about my move. Actually, so many good questions that by then end of our time together it was just a big mess of doubt about the wisdom of it all. This is not the first time that I had come across this scepticsm, but because I love and hold their opinion in very high regard I became discouraged thinking about the impossibility of the task at hand.

Did I realize that my whole life would change? They asked. Did I realize that I would never fit in by the simple fact that I had a job and would be going in and out of the neighborhood each day? I did. Did I realize that I would have to forsake most friendships and time out of the neighborhood, and even then, would have to wait years before forming significant friendships? I had. Did I realize that my job at the salon would not last, because of the simple fact about how I dressed there, not fitting with how people dressed in the neighborhood, or perhaps even making me a target?

As I was warming up the car to go home, very much overwhelmed, I heard a small whisper.

Clothe yourself with humility...

I had to smile. Colossians 3:12 says:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

I can try to dress like them, talk like them, dye my hair back brown instead of barbie-blond, but in the end, that is not what will win them over.

and then, God...

reminded me that I am His chosen, and I am holy and dearly loved.

Ain't my kind of God

Taken from "Reaching up for Manhood" by Goeffrey Canada. (This book and "Fist Stick Knife Gun" were two that I recenty read and couldn't put down)

"Okay. You really want to know what I think? All right, you serious so I'll be serious. If there was a God would he let things be done like this? Look at this shit, man. People killing one another, kids selling drugs, mothers leaving their babies to get high. Look how people living - like roaches. Garbage everwhere. And why God pick on us? I didn't do anything to God. Why he make my life so miserable? Naw, man, ain't no God. Any God would let people without nothing always get fucked over, while those with money don't give a fuck, aint my kind of God. If there is a God he is on the side of rich people. Rich people invented that God thing so they can keep fucking over the poor and poor people won't fight for a piece of the pie. That's what I think." (Reaching up for Manhood, page 94.)

Well, it's not my kind of God, either. John 1 by the message said that "The Word became Flesh and Blood and moved into the neighborhood." Then, it became a Spirit who dwelled in us and...we stayed away from the neighborhood.

Why?

and then, God...

prompted me to ask myself...

If not me, then who? If not now, then when?