Circle of Hope

Before I start my story I should probably say that I am currently working in Kingston, Jamaica. I have met a lot of really amazing people here. Some of these people are just sacrificing so much to serve God, that it’s really awe inspiring. I was supposed to meet a pastor this week; he did a lot of work in one of the most violent areas in Kingston, Rema. This pastor went into that community and started rebuilding. He helped at the school I’m working at. I still hadn’t met him because he’s been so busy. On Friday he was murdered with a pitchfork. All people are saying is that his past caught up with him, which in Jamaica implies “sexual immorality.” Now many of the people of Rema are crying out against Christians, and threatening their lives. The really strange thing though is that most Jamaicans, believe in Jesus, they see him as God; but many people here don’t think God has any role in their lives. They feel completely displaced, like they live in an environment so godless that developing a relationship is futile. I think what the people are really mad at the pastor about is that they wanted to feel that change was possible, and now because a pastor couldn’t be perfect, they feel like it’s not possible for them. The thing is, in this country I think Christians make people feel that way. There is so much thinly veiled judgment in the church community that it’s hard to breathe sometimes. It often sounds like if you’re not a Christian you’re a member of an inferior species. Today at a prayer walk some one prayed that certain poor communities will “cast off their animal ways.” To me when people do that they’re misusing the name of Jesus. Jesus didn’t shed his blood just for Christians, or just for super-Christians who carry their Bibles in special cases or affix crosses on every possible accessory. Jesus died for all of us. As a Christian, I feel like it’s our responsibility to reach out to people, regardless of whether they’re Christian or not. It’s our responsibility to provide fellowship. Here, when I meet people, when I say I’m a Christian, I feel some recoil and become more apprehensive. That tears me up inside because, that kind of fear won’t bring people to God. Fellowship and openness provides an opportunity to bring people in, to grow and experience God’s love. Judgment doesn’t. I wasn’t always a Christian, and luckily I wasn’t cast aside like a leper. I understand what people are trying to accomplish here with strict rules and judgment. They feel like they’re throwing a lifeline of structure in a society that is so chaotic and unstable. They’re providing another option in a country that is filled to the brim with crime, corruption and other troubles. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Parable of the Sower. Especially, when Jesus says “Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants” Matthew 13:7 (NIV). I think of those thorns now, not only as natural flaws, but obstacles of environment, and socio-economic situation. Any one who has ever gardened knows that you don’t get plants to grow in tough soil by cursing. The plant needs work, time, attention and love. Jesus used metaphors because when every thing else becomes so complicated it’s easier to look at things in simple terms. I pray that Christians of Jamaica will take a step back, use the metaphors Christ has given us and say “Look here, yelling’s not really going to work.”