I carry with me a premise about how people, you and I approach God. I sense, observe, and believe that most of the time we approach God just like homeless people approach someone who they think might be charitable. Not only do we approach God this way we also bring the same expectations for rejections, pain inflicting responses, and no incremental support. My words are not directed at the homeless, their plight, how to handle it, or society’s role in their life; my words are focused on our approach to God, how God responds (or does not), and our self-fulfilling reaction.
In general, homeless approach someone with a home along the following lines.
Carrying more than their full quota of burdens from the day, week, year, life.
Anticipation painted from their toenail to their head that rejection is imminent.
Cautiously forming the words of a request that will never solve their problems.
Ready to apologize for what may or may not be their fault; even if it is, the problem did not begin in the last 24 hours.
Carefully observing society’s dictates that they not get personal if they expect results; getting personal is only used as a last resort when one throws insults for no results.
God offers each an open door to the Heart of the Divine, the Soul of the Universe, and Eternity’s Guide. It is true that “God keeps his distance from the wicked; he [also] closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.” (Proverbs 15.29)
One easily argues that the homeless do not believe in themselves. From the world’s perspective there is nothing to believe in! From God perspective we are all homeless. Our worth is defined with one foundation; his love and gift to us. This makes every person a diamond waiting to be unfolded. The only question is when and that is the defining difference between the wicked and God-loyal people. One believes the answers lies within themselves, the other is looking to and for God. The former rejects what the latter seeks. This determines response, for everyone involved.
