Quick answers

Let me tell you a story. (I know good writing for the web doesn't advocate storytelling - or words like advocate - but this is a good one.)

James and I rode the train home together yesterday. So I'm still reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne (see it on Amazon). After reading all about how following Jesus means living with the outcasts and loving when it hurts, I was thinking about how I couldn't ignore the truth of this.

As James and I got off the train and headed out the gate, I was explaining how I felt, saying: "If that's what I believe - and it is - then what am I going to do about it?" At that precise moment, as we were walking, we looked up to see a homeless man who said, "Hello!". We smiled and 'hello'ed back as we continued walking.

So not such a rhetorical question after all.

In search of community

I've been reading a great book written by one of the guys from the simple way. It really relates to something James and I have been working towards this year; to build community.

The author guy Shane calls for (and lives) within a diverse community. They eat with the poor. They sleep with the homeless. They play with the children. They live in community; a glowing example to our (or should that be my) individualistic and suburban mindset.

I want to be community. But I can't do it by myself. It will mean putting others first. It will be painful. But it will be a step towards Jesus's radical redefinition of society. I can't wait.