Peace on the streets...

The quiet of a Sunday morning.... sitting at our new desk... we can see the gorge from our windows, and our compound speaks of peace and happiness- a new marriage and a new home.

 

Then we're out on the streets as we run an errand together... People yell at us as we drive by, and when we stop to buy hay, we gain a crowd- five young boys and five more teenage boys stop within a foot of me just to stare, a drunk unkept man decides I am interesting and starts commenting, one of the hay loader announces to an old woman that I am his wife, and every passerby stares.

 

Where was that peaceful feeling I just had this morning?  The Bible sure is refreshing when I watch the sun rise and read a Psalm, but what about when it comes to putting the teachings of Jesus into reality when I am on the street and getting lots of verbal harrassment?  My thoughts and attitudes toward the starers are far from benevolent.

 

As I am walking out into Kebele ("neighborhood") 09 almost every day now for our TB project, we are walking through small streets without cars where life happens outside.  Everyone finds the white person interesting, and often their comments are rude.  I am often angry and loose my love for the people.

 

I recognized that this week and said to Brian, "When Jesus said 'pray for those who persecute you' do you think He also meant 'pray for those who harrass you?"  I think I might know the answer.

 

Tim Keller's book on the ministries of mercy (thus titled) has been a great read for me at this point.  He talks about what motivates Christians toward mercy and love.  He says, "...the person who knows that he received mercy while an undeserving enemy of God will have a heart of love for even (and especially!) the most ungrateful and difficult persons."  (pg. 60).

 

I am somewhere on that path to such an internalization of God's grace that I see every sinner differently.  What is it in my flesh that lashes out in anger when the kids call out "give me money," or when I'm driving and there is no drivers etiqutte?  How do I change it?

 

I want the calm I feel here in my home, but I want it out there, too.