Leaving the shade.

The moment was pregnant, but at the time I couldn’t understand it’s meaning. I am not sure I can a day later, but a blog is a wonderful way to explore the things that happen in one’s life and invite others to come along for the journey.

I was sitting in a small city square in Asheville, North Carolina, as a group prepared to perform in the modest amphitheater. Tourists like me were seated ready to listen, while over in the shade the city’s ample homeless population were assembled. Leaning on their backpacks and garbage bags, their arms were scared and eyes empty. 

“Look over there,” I said to my teenage daughters, “and tell me drugs don’t destroy life.”

The performers began, and I was surprised to see they were evangelical Christians. Before singing a praise song about God's presence, the leader spoke of the need for Christ and that abundant life is available to us all.

I have heard my share of such “preachers” and songs, and I was sorry the quality of both was not better, but the contrast between what was being said and sung and those sitting in the shade was stiking.

Telling others about Jesus is a fine and good thing to do, even a brave thing, particularly when standing in the middle of a city like Asheville, but is telling people enough? Is standing at a microphone the best thing to do when there are poor and desperate people sitting off in the shade.

I sat between the two. One claimed to have life, the other all but lifeless. Part of me wanted to roll my eyes at one and shake my head at the other, but I realized I was a part of both. I was once off in the shade searching for life in destructive ways until someone awakened me and told me the truth. There was no rousing sermon or inspirational song, nor has my life been flawless since, but I slowly began the journey out of the shade.

Maybe one day I’ll stand in the sunshine, but, for now, I celebrate the fact that I'm headed toward an abundant life. Today, I sit between where I was and where I'm headed. There’s no complete explanation why I am able to leave the shade, but I believe a lot of it has to do with what was being said at the microphone.