Do you think of where you live as a dangerous place? Perhaps you moved out here to escape the "big" city and all of its issues. So of course it's safe. That's what made you move here. Or it might be that you moved from another part of the country and the suburbs were comfortable and familiar and of course safe. Their similarity to your previous surroundings made you immediately feel "at home". It's just enough separation to find a haven of peace from the chaos of life. But my question is: is suburbia safe for your soul?
As a pastor, I believe one of the most important things I can do is understand the place and people that God has called me to be a part of and to minister to. After being here for a little over 2 years I just now feel like I am beginning to gain some of that understanding. As a shepherd, observer, and lifetime suburbanite, I have also begun to formulate what I think are some characteristics both good and bad of following Christ and helping others to do seek Him while living in the ‘burbs.
So . . . I am going to begin a series of posts about the dangerous that are inherent in living in Huntsville/Madison Suburbia. Most of these are not exclusive to this area but might carry a particular flare based on our unique time and place. I am praying that this series will help me and other think more deeply and concretely about OUR culture. And beyond that it will give us a greater heart and deeper prayers for God to transform us and redeem the people that He has put us among to be missionaries to.
But first, I want to hear from you. Take some time to think about where you live. Then share with me some of the dangers you face in following Christ living in a North Alabama Suburbia. How does where you live color your pictures of life? How does it make it harder to see and follow Jesus? Where are the dangers spots? What are the things that are easier and more inviting then Christ or His church? How does living here affect your thinking and your heart? How does your ‘environment' affect your love for Christ? These are just a few questions that might prompt your thinking.
Your responses will help me formulate some of what I write from here on out. Thanks for your thoughts.
These are interesting
These are interesting questions - similiar to Lucy asking Mr. Beaver if Aslan is safe, or Christian asking the Watcher if the way is safe or dangerous --- what is 'safe' culturally, physically, financially, etc., is quite often 'dangerous' spiritually - last week the Jr Hi'rs were looking at Matt 16:21-27, specifically Peter's response to Jesus' proclamation of upcoming death - "Say it isn't so!" Even after Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Christ, he still wanted his piece of the kingdom on earth as opposed to the Kingdom in Heaven. Same for me - it is way too easy (read that as safe) for me to drive home, close the garage door behind me, and hunker down to whatever 'home' as opposed to 'work' tasks that are hand and miss (or worse ignore) everything (err - everyone?) around me. Living safely in my kingdom - ...
Choices, Choices,
Choices, Choices, Choices!
Having lived in a small town, I can speak about one thing that can make it difficult to live in the ‘burbs of Huntsville. In a small town, the choices for shopping, eating, and entertainment are limited. Even the choice of where you attend worship is restricted. While you may still struggle with covetousness in a small town, I personally found it less of a challenge because I wasn’t bombarded constantly with the possibilities found in a “big” city. In Huntsville, I live among a very affluent community and many mark their lives by what they possess. As a Christian living among affluence, I battle my own desires to have what my neighbor has.
I think one of the big
I think one of the big problems with suburbia in this time is the lack of connection we have to neighbors. Perhaps because we are so mobile, we commute to work, we commute to church (sometimes long distances) and so we don't get a sense of community in our neighborhood. I'm guilty of it! I'm not sure of the cause, but it seems to be symptomatic for a lot of people I know. This observation isn't specific to the area we live in.