The Gap and Somewhere in Between

Initially I thought to write this as something like, “Welcome to America!” However, in true fashion, the Lord had a lesson in it for me. There is no intention of disrespect in my heart to any social class in this writing. These are simply observations of a day of traveling. So, here goes.

My wife and I took a little trip one day to another state. At the fork in the road, I went right instead of left. Quickly Google maps procured another route which prevented the need to turn around. The road wasn’t exactly a trail but was in some need of the highway maintenance department.

The grassy roadside sported a community of randomly askew mailboxes. At one time they may have stood straight and orderly, but time, lack of care and longevity of life had caused some to haphazardly face the road, while others yawned their open doors toward the earth and sky. I was surprised by their number, by which one concluded there were quite a few residents living in that section of the world.

The mobile homes seemed to sprout from the grass and weeds. Mixed among them were the cars, and company vehicles of the occupants of the houses.

The doors of some of the houses hung open to the morning air, revealing their dismal, aging, well-stocked interiors, while porches sagged under the weight of accumulated treasures. We continued to absorb the scene as we slowed and carefully eased past the rooster who was determined to leave his small contented flock, to follow the hen across the road. A few tenements gazed with mild curiosity, as we made our way through their world. No doubt they recognized we were non-regulars on their road. The place shouted of generational poverty, depression and hopelessness, or so it seemed to me.

After a minute or two on this short cut, the road curved out of the trees and entered an entirely different world. It was hard to imagine the two communities could exist together, separated only by the road and trees.  

As our front wheels stopped near the edge of the highway, our eyes beheld the beautiful houses, with perfect landscaping, next to the rolling hills of the golf course. As we accelerated up the smooth road, we passed the club house of the course, the restaurant, and beautiful grounds.  People in polo shirts and shorts were walking around, while nice cars filled the parking lot. I then had to wonder if this is where some of the occupants of the former community work. The cooks, the cleaners, and ground keepers, possibly making just enough for room and board while the wealthy in nice clothes and hats spend their pocket change to enjoy the luxury of the place.

The shiny, big, black, diesel truck rolled up beside us, at the stop light. Well, actually he was playing tag with us as we passed several stop lights. I glanced over and met the man’s eye and we nodded at each other. While doing so, I couldn’t help noticing the tattoos on his muscular arm. Then on one pass, I saw the US Marine sticker on his side window, and I wondered if he had been in combat and if so what his experience had been. Was the truck something that reflected his military training or was it an outward show to hide who he really was inside? What horrors had he seen that he was trying to forget.

I saw the woman in the car next to us on the freeway. A glance at her face, revealed the look of a middle-aged woman, a business woman perhaps, with her young children in the car with her. She had that look of someone who had plenty of money and a nice house. It was then I noticed she was driving a small white Cadillac sports car which added to her touch of class. I wondered what kind of a person she was and if her attitude reflected the same care and kindness as her personage portrayed.

I watched the face of the young lady as she took my money at the Taco Bell drive up window and handed me our food. Although I cannot be sure, the expression on her face hinted at a life of sadness. I wondered what her story was, as well as about her soul. As we drove away, on down the highway, I wonder about all the people’s souls around me which represent many walks and statuses of life.  In spite of their differences, they are the same value to God and all need a Savior.

While considering these things, many questions seep into our minds. What makes the difference? Who of these groups are happier? Similar situations play out all over the world; many, both rich and poor are simply living out the life that their parents and grandparents live, with little regard for the other. Entirely separate cultures, existing together on the same planet. The truth be known, I’m not sure where I fit in. I could park my vehicles among the mobile homes, and they would blend right in. Where does that place me? Do I have a responsibility to do? The throngs of humanity are traveling down the road of life, many without knowing the life giving story of salvation. Who will tell them? They are all around us, like a continuous running conveyer from birth until death, heading for a never-ending eternity. Can we save them? At least a few?

If Jesus were to come back to earth in person, where would you find him? Would the people on the golf course stop long enough to bid him the time of the day? Or, would their schedule allow them to do so? Would they have a need to visit with a stranger, or are there lives complete? I picture Him slipping quietly In to the workers quarters instead, standing and quietly watching them going about their common tasks. Not saying anything, but watching and waiting. I imagine Him standing among those mailboxes, waiting for the inhabitants to come get their mail, or walking down the street, stopping to bid the time of the day to the people resting on the porches. Suppose he moved in and out among the traffic at the stop lights, where people have been forced to stop from their ever rushing lives. There He would slip in and out among the cars, speaking words of hope through the open windows. And what if His quiet voice would come over the headset at the drive up window, gently wishing that person a good day? The possibilities are endless, and though we cannot be the Lord, we can in a small way be His feet, His voice, His ambassador on this earth. The quiet voice, the gentle touch, the greeting to the door man are not lost. Opportunities to shed the love of Jesus are around every corner, in all parts of the globe. Love is a universal language which though some do not understand, yet all have the need to be loved. Just as Jesus did.

How many people are hindered in sharing the good news of salvation, because of their own mediocre Christian lives? They falter in their confidence to share the good news, due to their own lack of deliverance and peace. Or maybe they are simply shy, and need encouragement. Not everyone is cut from the same cloth. One maybe an undergarment, while others may be the shoes or coat. One needs not a degree in theology, or be a preacher, or a missionary to share the good news of salvation. God only needs your availability. The world needs to hear the every day gospel, of your victories and defeats. They need to hear how you came to the end of your rope and the Lord delivered you. They need to hear of your faltering footsteps as you try to please your Savior. Most of all they need to feel your care and love. A simple smile maybe all that some are needing to brighten their day. It’s easy to separate races and classes of people, yet one may never know the cry of the soul.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:10

 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:4

The words of the wise man say:  And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

 Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:5-8