Day #30: Not By Choice

They were banished from their fellow men,
shouted at as if they were thieves.
They were forced to live in the dry stream beds,
among the rocks and in holes in the ground.
They brayed among the bushes
and huddled in the undergrowth.
A base and nameless brood,
they were driven out of the land.
~Job 30:5-8

Job is talking about the men of low social status. The men who have little money, possibly no job, or if they do have a job, one that isn't respected. Job is speaking of the men who maybe don't have a home every night, or a meal every day, or maybe can't take care of themselves hygienically. I think Job is talking about the homeless.

Homeless people are often shunned because they look strange, or they don't smell very good, or because they can't afford to live a 'normal' life. When people see someone who is homeless on the street, they often look away and pretend they aren't there. But how would you feel if someone walked by you and pretended you weren't there?

I've heard people blame the homeless of being drunk addicts who can't hold a job because they aren't responsible, or that they don't have a home because they spend all there money on alcohol or cigarettes. That may be true for some homeless people, and some people even choose to be homeless, but I think it is safe to say that 95% of homeless people are not irresponsible and do not choose to be homeless.

I do not remember the exact number, but you would be surprised if you knew how many families in America are only one paycheck away from being homeless. If all of a sudden the major source of income in your family disappeared, would you be able to stay off the streets? Especially in these times of economic stress? Even if you are responsible, work hard, maybe have a college degree, how do you find work when no one is hiring?

We push the homeless out of our society and act like they aren't there. Kind of like 'out of sight out of mind', as if not seeing the need means the need is not there. Instead of ignoring the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to meet their needs with love. And at every opportunity, that is what I will do.


Photo #30: Not by choice.