OGN AND "IT'S ALL GOOD"

I'm sitting in my rented van outside of some random house that evidently is spewing the internet into the street.. I thought I'd just blog and post later while I wait the 15 minutes before I'm supposed to pick up my students, but then alas- I found the grand internet world right here in my van.

Anyway- I just got done with another afternoon of chatting with people on the beach in PB about faith and God and stuff. Here's a small slice of a 30 minute convo from day 2
_____________________
MIKE- A FIRE FIGHTER WHO WAS A GREEN BERET FOR 8 YEARS, TRAVELED AND LIVED THE WHOLE WORLD OVER, BAR TENDED FOR SEVERAL YEARS, GREW UP IN CATHOLIC HOME AND WAS FORCED TO GO TO CHURCH UNTIL 18, SINGLE (DIVORCED), LOVES TO BIKE, ENJOYS HIS LIFE AT 38. READING ON A PARK BENCH WHERE HE RODE HIS BIKE TO OVERLOOKING THE BEACH WHEN I ARRIVE AND HE'S ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE LAST PAGE OF A BIG BOOK.

ME: "Did you just finish the book or are you starting from the back?"
MIKE: "Just finished." (shows me the cover- it was the Da Vinci Code.)

Did you like it?
Yeah great book.

Do you believe any of it?
No, not a bit... but I do think it was some Kings that made Jesus go from some mortal guy who talked to people to some immortal son of God guy. I don't buy that.

So, you don't think Jesus was or is immortal.
I don't know if Jesus ever existed. I'm not a religous guy. I think everyone can believe what they want. I'm good so long as I don't hurt anyone or myself.

Do you think that maybe there's more to life than that? Do you think that maybe you could be missing out on the best life and settling for the good life?
Maybe. I don't know. No one knows.

So, that's all there is to life. Just making sure you get through it not hurting people.
Yeah, man I help people every day as paramedic. I think if you're good, life will be good to you. I more believe in reincarnation.

So, you think there's a soul that returns?
Yeah, I think so. Maybe. I don't know. No one knows. No one alive today has ever died, so they're all just speculating. I like my life and I don't need God or organized religion.
----------------------

A very sincere 30 minute conversation with a very content man who enjoys his life, is amiable, healthy, and happy. He's afraid that if he joins a faith system. They'll screw that up. Sadly, he's probably right. More sadly, that's not waht Jesus designed us for or strived to start in the church. We really did have a great conversation. I enjoyed my time with Mike a lot. He admits that he lives a selfish life because he does whatever he wants, when he wants, and he doesn't want to give that up. Truth is, he's holding on to the familiar but losing the eternal- which he's not sure of either. Jesus said that in losing our life we gain it. That's a risk that Mike isn't willing to take. Based on the track record of the church, part of me understands. Based on my knowledge of Jesus, part of me mourns.

I was challenged today to continue to raise up around me and personally embody a community of faith that is real with life, real with doubt, real with hope, and selflessly loving others before my own needs. I don't want to bury my head into the sand so I can life in a peace I manufactured. I want the peace that I believe only God can truly give.