At Homeless In America there is frequent talk here about how in one sense we are all homeless. All of us are beggars and migrants on a pilgrimage home. In that case, the physically homeless living on American streets are important signs, symbols and images of what and who we all are. We need them to show us the truth about ourselves. Saint Augustine said it well about us lost and abandoned humans, “My soul is restless until it rests in Thee.” The psalmist David also expressed it this way, “O God, you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water” (Psalm 63:1).
If we are parched, destitute and homeless, what does “homefullness” look like? Where is home? Rest assured “homefullness” does not happen here in this lifetime. The apostle John unequivocally tells us that everything here is passing away. In fact, nothing on earth we can call home. John greatly underscores the notion of being perpetually transient when he said, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
The good news is that homefullness does exist. Receiving a permanent dwelling place and arriving home happens at some point after the death of a Christian. Jesus refers to our transition from homelessness on earth to homefullness in the next life when he said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
End homelessness? Let’s begin each with our own self. Homefullness is contingent upon faith in Christ, but not just a mental faith. (“Even the demons believe, and they tremble in terror.” James 2:19) Mental faith won’t save you says the Apostle. Each of us needs to have an active faith filled with . . . forgiveness of one’s enemies (think, The Lord’s Prayer), show mercy daily to others for “Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7), as well as lots of daily prayer and contrition for one’s sins, failures and shortcomings. So there it is. End homelessness – get faith in action! Get right with God!
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Saturday, January 23, 2010
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3 comments:
When I lived in LA, there were two or three homeless people I saw regularly; all of them were interesting, kind, and caring - all of them would go out of their way to do something for someone who needed it, even if that person had money, a home, and a job - just because they were nice people.
I won't say they made me want to be homeless; but they did make me want to be that nice.
This post has so much to say that we all need to hear. God Bless.
Reading the book of Proverbs might also be a way to help the homeless to think in a different way.
I also like First Corinthians 9 - 24 thru 25 too.
Kindest regards,
Tom Bailey
Well said. Thank you for putting life into perspective! This something we need to read and reread quite often.
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