Driving the Streets

Every time I drive the streets of downtown Wichita, and even at times when I look out the door or a window of the church, I see people.  But the people that I see many times aren’t like you and me.  These people, many times are the homeless or the near homeless.  And they are easy to spot without being stereotypical.  Many are carrying oversize backpacks or trash bags.  Some are riding bicycles with backpacks hanging off of the handlebars or fenders.  Some are pushing shopping carts.  Most are disheveled, have clothes that don’t fit, and need some basic hygiene.

And although I am happy to see the development that is taking place in the city…Old Town, Delano, the baseball complex, the apartments, the new library, a new Century II, and other areas of development, I have to wonder what all of this development will do to the population that I just spoke about in the prior paragraph.

These people are already marginalized.  They already are on the outskirts of society.  Those of us who are fortunate enough to be on the upper end of the scale enjoy the new shops and restaurants.  We like the new entertainment venues and the upscale apartments.  But for those who are on the other side, my fear is that it will only drive them farther from the possibility of redemption and extinguish what little hope they may have for a somewhat normal life.

Oh, I get it.  I understand that in many cases, it was the prior choices of these people, or choices made for them that put them where they are now.  And it is their continuing choices which many times keep them in the poverty whirlpool.  But there are many who have no choice but to continue to make those choices; because any other choices are not within the realm of possibility, or are not within the capability of the person to execute.

But does that mean that we just turn our gaze away and pretend they don’t exist?  Do we spout worthless platitudes like, “Well, if they would only get a job…?”  Do we go ahead and build and develop knowing that it will only drive them to another part of town that is less foreign to them, but is out of our sight?

Or do we at least develop some compassion for them and try to find what little we can do that would bring about a productive change in their situation?  Do we at least try to get to know some of them in terms of hearing their story, treating them like human beings, and offering that proverbial cup of cold water?

We will never, in this universe, solve the problem of poverty and need.  Jesus himself said that we would always have the poor with us.  And although with a wave of his hand he could have fed everyone in the world, he didn’t do so.  But he did develop relationships.  He treated individuals like the human beings they were.  He gave them not only food for their stomach, but also spiritual food for their soul.

We would do well to look at the life of this Great Teacher of ancient Israel and emulate him as best we can.  The poor are all around us.  The need is right outside our door.  The impoverished are on the next street corner.  The poverty whirlpool is actively seeking, finding, and devouring human beings at a dizzying rate.

I can’t do everything, but I can do something.