It is currently 96 degrees in Portland, Oregon. And in case you didn't know, that is really freaking hot. My apartment stays pretty cool because the windows face North/South, avoiding the direct heat of the East/West sun! However, outside of my apartment and in my car is like an easy bake oven that was wired wrong. Reminds me of these little ovens we build when I was in 5th grade and roasted weenies in them (I'm laughing remembering this). I remember it was hot outside when I was making it, and I got spray paint all over myself because, come on, I was in 5th grade spray painting something! If I remember correctly, and I'm pretty sure I do, mine was pretty rocking and heated things through really well. I was a model student. Maybe I missed my calling as an inventor or mechanic or something like that.
Being FROM Portland, there are always a few days each year that are like this. Last year there were like three weeks in a row (not normal, nor ok). And, dare I make a generalization, but most people in PDX don't have air conditioning. Because, just like the fact that we get snow two days a year- nobody knows how to drive in snow. We don't have air conditioning because we only have really hot weather a few days a year.
However if you think about it, air conditioning or heating systems for that matter are quite a luxury, even in our own culture. I was thinking about this while driving, and I was sweating like a pig (how much do pigs really sweat and how do we know?). I tried to suck in up and not use the A/C...but gave in rather quickly. As the cool air started blowing in and on my hot skin, I realized as I drove past a number of individuals holding up signs explaining one plight or another. Some homeless, jobless, and down on their luck for one reason or another. As I drove past them, in my A/C box on wheels. I thought of my good fortune to be born into the family I was, to be given the abilities and opportunities I was. Sometimes I take way too much credit for what is good in my life and don't give much thought to He who has gifted me. This reminds me of the second half of verse 48 in Luke chapter 12, "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." I hope that when much is required of me, I'll be humble and willing to give, as I know I've been given so much as evidenced by the relationships I have and the comforts I've been allowed for now.
I spend way to much time focusing on 'getting' or 'doing' or 'achieving'. Thinking about getting into grad school so that I can get some great job, and make money. Make money for what? To buy a house, a nice car, nice clothes, take nice trips, and have a nice life. I work to buy those stylish bermuda shorts to wear in the summer and hang out in hot tubs in the winter. Not that any of those things are bad or not worth working for. I just get way to caught up in it, caught up in wanting to be comfortable.
Comfort is a funny thing to me. I work so hard for it, yet I crave adventure, uncertianty, danger and challenge. When I see those hearts on the streets, the faces of kids I work with, and the pain in the lives of so many. I think it is God's gentle way of reminding me what we are all really here for. That relationships are worth all of the really difficult stuff. That working for nice things isn't bad, but when we focus on it entirely and make an idol of comfort. We're really missing out. Missing out not only on God but we're missing out on all of those messy and beautiful things like relationship, adventure, life.
So, in conclusion, I guess I'm really thankful for what I have and strive to make an idol of nothing (and fail a lot). To work and love with and for the world.
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