-Herman Melville
This quote is generally in the line of, "Until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes, be careful to judge them."
But it expounds upon that and brings it into a more personal and self-reflective light.
It makes me think of the program that people participate in called the "30 hour famine", where young people don't eat for 30 hours to better associate with those who have no option of getting food. In the idea behind it, I think it has some merit. However...to call it a 'famine'...most of us have no clue what a famine is.
Dictionary.com...What do you have to say?
–noun
| 1. | extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area. |
| 2. | any extreme and general scarcity. |
| 3. | extreme hunger; starvation. |
Yeah, I'm fairly certain it is not possible to have a famine within 30 hours. Again, I understand the idea behind it, but we cannot comprehend famine in a little over a day. It's like saying that I know what it's like to live outside because I went camping once.
My brother, dad, and I camped in the Wyoming wilderness a year and a half ago. Just the three of us, sleeping in an 8x8 tent. Chewing on meat and crackers when our bellies started rumbling. And each night it sounded like the coyotes were just outside of the tent, baying away at the moon that wasn't out. It sounded as if they were no more than 20 feet away; but when the nearest hospital is over 2 hours away, everything that could put you there seems closer. The coyote was acutally across the meadow, more like 1/2 mile away.
But I also had the comfort of being able to prepare for the circumstances that we were putting ourselves in, accompanied by the knowledge that this would only last for 4 days and then the waterproof canvas would once again be replaced by the egg-shell-white painted drywall. So I couldn't even begin to understand the unknowns of not have a place live. Not only the unknown of where my meal is coming from, or the unknown of where I'll take a break for the night, but the even more daunting unknown of 'how long?'...
I think that would be the most difficult challenge. Time.
The boundary of having a timeline is one of the most comforting things I can think of.
It's why I like mapquest and google maps...because they not only give me a route, but they also tell me how long it should take me if I follow the rules of the road.
It's what I appreciate about youtube...because I know how long I need to set aside to watch the dude sing 'mah-ya-he mah-ya-ha...'
I think David, a king in a palace, actually may help those of us who are 'well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed' have compassion rather than criticism, so I'll leave this off with a quote from him. As you read it...let it be from you as well. Where are you waiting patiently for God? Where are you feeling like 'troubles without number' are surrounding you? How are you needy?
Maybe when we realize our own need, we deepen our compassion for others.
Psalm 40:
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay
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