Positive Prospects - Part 2

Toby LaBon. The only African-American man--or person for that matter--that I spent time around on a frequent basis. Now here is a man I loved to be around. Toby, a gentle, humble, African-American man with a great sense of humor, was my Sunday School teacher throughout most of my time in high school. If my memory serves me correctly he was the only African-American in our congregation, aside from his two children.

I don't remember a whole lot about the Bible content or Christian thought that Toby taught me in that Sunday School class, and although he might hate to hear it I don't know that he was all that prepared for the class on a weekly basis. What Toby was to me, however, went way beyond the content of that class taking place behind that plastic curtain. He had a smile that could melt your heart from a mile away and a laugh that could shred your bitterness worse than any black hole. I don't remember once a negative comment flowing from his mouth, not once. He was a joy. He could tell a good fishing story better than most, and we had many conversations on this topic to be sure. He had a kind heart and he was always there to listen. I always looked for him when I came back from college even if I had to stop by his house for a hello. He had my respect.

What was it that Toby taught me? What was it about him that keeps him so close to the surface of my mind? I think he represents to me that intangible joy found in the midst of community. That elusive commodity that helps people through the hard times and helps them all the more to celebrate the good times. His face is imprtinted on my mind, and as I sit here typing this out, my brow is less furrowed and a smile graces my face. Thank you Toby. I hope the fish are biting.

Positive Prospects Part 1

Here I go on this little journey. I don't know what the format will look like but I am willing to take that risk.

Trying to go as far back as possible in my memory to remember positive experiences I end up in kindergarten. Sitting in the little chairs at the little tables, my sister was tutoring me about something. The content with which I was being helped I do not remember but the advice, I remember well. Now Paul...when using an eraser (on the end of a pencil) be sure to use the side of the eraser and to switch sides so that the eraser wears evenly over time. That may not be the exact conversation but that was the gist of it. Now this may not seem profound to the passerby, but to a little five year old this was priceless wisdom. Someone much older than I (8 years is a big difference as a child) was sharing their wisdom from experience with me. I remember that moment vividly.

Sticking to the positive influence by my sister, I do recall another time later on, I can't remember how old I was but definitely not older than 12, at the First Baptist Church of Clarendon Hills back when we still lived in Downers Grove, IL. I don't remember exactly how this topic came up but I remember being up near the front of the church on the piano side (stage right) of the orange-carpeted sanctuary. My sister was telling me-in reference to one of my peers who shall remain nameless-that although she may not be the most beautful girl she was the type of girl you could marry. Within the week I had established that this girl was my new girlfriend, but it didn't last long and luckily she and her family moved shortly thereafter (I wonder if that had anything to do with me?). This was an important experience since this is the first time, I suppose, when looking at women (or girls) that I considered a girl more than simply what meets the eye. I am sure at this point my sister would be horrified at some of the details with which I am remembering my past.

Positive Prospects

After reflecting briefly on my past and where it has brought me to today in regards to my feelings on the church and other issues, I feel a need to look at some of the positive impacts people and experiences have had on my life. I believe that these experiences may be culpable for my strong belief in social justice and creation stewardship. I would like to explore that possibility. Hopefully these reflections will help me to understand more deeply my longing for social justice.

I believe in social justice. I believe that a person who claims belief in Jesus Christ as the prophesied Messiah as I do should have at the front of their minds social justice on the domestic front and on the international front. This is not to say that Christianity is the panacaea for all of the world's social issues, but rather that we as Christians are called to actively advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves and to play our current part towards that end whether we see its success in our lifetime or not. The call from Christ in the Gospel and Old Testament scriptures is in itself the justification for this paradigm regarding the addressing of social problems. I believe these types of activities serve as a conduit carrying us to a state in which we are more like Christ. I also believe this is God's way of allowing us a role--even in its severe inadequacies-- in the restoration of creation towards a state as originally hoped for by God.

I believe social justice includes attention to a wide variety of issues not limited to but including racism, exploitation, and poverty. I am not going to expound much here about my beliefs on how this should be addressed but hope to at some point in the future.