How can I best show love to my Savior? By retreating to a place where I can enjoy a comfortable life, secure and isolated from the ills of society, where I can devote myself to a happy family, a nice home, and the pursuit of the "American dream" of health, happiness and prosperity? Can I show love to God, by closing my eyes to the poor, the sick, the needy and the dying? Why would I want to dissociate myself from the type of people who Jesus said were "the greatest" in his kingdom? And why would I want to consider my own physical well-being to be more important than their spiritual well-being?

Surely there are needs everywhere. Living out in the country or in a wealthy suburb also has its problems. But something is wrong, when everyone who claims to love God wants to escape to an area that has lesser needs... and just by coincidence, a greater opportunity to gratify one's self-interests.

I want to be different.

I want to follow Jesus.

Back to: "Living in the city... Serving in the city"

Dennis Hinks ©2001