The Meek Just May “Occupy” The Earth

I remember watching the old Westerns where someone would put their ear to the earth to listen for the coming of the train, wagons, enemy, etc…  It seems that the closer your ear is to the earth, the better prepared you are for the coming change.  The 99% and the 1% all know one thing – change is needed and it is coming.  The closer your ear is to the earthy cultures – the more you will understand the disappearance of the middle class and a certain way of life.

But those who are considered “poor,” have always known how this would go, and how to live with less, and the struggles that may soon befall us all.

I heard today that Greece may be kicked out of the EU.  That is something we should pay attention to.

But we have not paid attention to our own local poor, and to what they are experiencing and trying to tell us.  They are trying to become our teachers – seems the tables have been turned over – the rolls are being reversed.

So yesterday I received word that one of my street friends has died in Arizona after being on the streets and ill for years.

A West Side 10 year old came to me with her mother to tell me they have no insurance and she has been in the hospital several times because her stomach hurts and they can’t figure it out.  How can they pay their bills and remain housed?

I received a facebook message from a single mom losing her housing.

I received an email from a single mom trying to find housing who has two days left in a local shelter and needs an advocate.

I went up to Westmont for the day to a missions fair to try to sign up students to help with what is going on in the city but feel bad about it because I know students there are hit with the needs and opportunities all the time.  I don’t want to make anyone feel guilty…

But at the same point, I am trying to prepare “us” for what is coming.  The American dream may not be the same dream it was, or sustainable in the face of an even better dream.

The dream may be “shalom.”  But that dream can be costly to the ruling class – the one with power, wealth, and resources.  The dream states that those with power must learn to share it, must be concerned with those with the least power.  It must seek ways for justice and equalize the economy – must seek for just solutions.

Shalom is to seek the holistic well being of others – that in doing so you will find your own well being.  I think we have done the opposite, believing that finding our own best if first, and then hoping it would trickle down.  It isn’t trickling very well.

I have had my ears to the earth – I have had new teachers.  My teachers for the past year have not been the middle class – they have been street friends and west side families.  I am wrestling now with the contradictions of my many teachers.

As I am listening – I hear something approaching.  I am not sure what it is yet.  But I think everyone hears the faint sound now – the trick is not to fool yourself and believe that change is not inevitable.  The meek will inherit the earth.  It may be sooner than we thought.

Oh, and one final thought just hit me – the church should celebrate the meek occupying the earth – it is our original vision.