Not so culture-shock

So, I am back in Indianapolis. After only a few short months, I have returned, and to be honest, not much has changed. Homeless people, prostitutes, drug runners, and children without much of a future still roam the streets. I have experienced all of this before. In fact, I have done this twice now. For the past two years I have spent my spring breaks up here with Erin and some friends from Milligan experiencing the plight of the inner city and learning how to serve as Christ would have us to. And yet, I still felt a little bit of "not so culture-shock" as I entered the city. There are homeless people and drug issues in Johnson City, TN, but the liquor store/check cashing store that was still open as I cruised into the city late Wednesday night hailed a different kind of despair than what is present down south. As I consider the warning to stay inside of our house after dark, I wonder how much I really understand the fear and violence that this environment contains for the people living here every day. After all, I've never been held up at gun or knife point. I've never had my car or house broken into and my things stolen. This summer is going to be different, but its going to be good. And I pray that God opens my eyes and heart to what I believe he calls me and the church in general to do, and that is to love and serve others as ourselves, which includes the businessman and the heroine addict. I pray that I am challenged, stretched, and that I go from here and use what I have been taught.