Behind all the glitz and glamour...

I'm tired right now, but I'm gonna do my best to write this blog. It's important....

For two out of the last three nights I've been out with Birmingham Homeless Support and Outreach (BHSO). What started as an experiment, continued as a chance to see the other side of Birmingham's streets. Behind all the glitz and glamour of the Bullring Shopping Centre and the fancy Mailbox and new roadworks for a new tram system and train station to enlarge Birmingham's reputation as the UK's second city, stands something people overlook, ignore, shut their eyes to and shun. The homeless.

Now who's walked past that Big Issue seller in the street, that beggar with his little bowl, or that man that comes and asks for spare change. I admit. I have. Today, last week and the week before. Why? Because I don't have any money. Because I need to get receipts for everything I spend. Cus I've got to go somewhere quickly. Cus the person I'm with looks at him in disgust. Cus I can't stand to part with a penny of MY money. The list is endless.

Tell him go get a job. He'll only spend it on fags and alcohol so why bother. It won't help him in the long run. Also the reasons to scorn those asking for money seem to be endless. But what if you choose to look deeper? What if you allow it to break your heart for a minute? What if you give up your life and take on theirs for a night?

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Wednesday night: What do I see? Turn by the side of Nando's in Paradise forum and you see a group of people looking maybe like they're about to start a riot. But nah, that's not what they're gonna do. They're waiting for the curry to be brought. To get their snack on. For the person who's coming to feed them. Who is that person you ask?  That's easy. It's a few Muslim men and women who've come to share with the people food, water, pop and meet their need.

Now there's two things I can do as a Christian in that situation. Scorn these Muslims and write off the reasons there doing it as some ulterior motive and maybe seek to something similar and try and put them to shame. Or the second, ask myself that difficult question. Ask myself why I haven't looked at the need and addressed the problem before this? Why when someone asks me for something do I close my heart? Why am I not out on the streets, doing what they're doing, not because I wants to enter some religious competition but because I care for these people? Why hasn't the need penetrated my heart, as it seems to have done others?

Switch to the BHSO team. A bunch of lads (and a girl). Terrible jokes and often quite coarse language permeate their conversation, but the need has penetrated their heart. Some have a quiet faith, a few aren't sure if they believe or not, but because they've experienced that side of life and their consciences won't let them be quiet they are now out on the streets every day making a difference. What does that say to us? Us with all the knowledge, the theology in our minds, the dogma in our speech. Does it say that some people who don't speak the way you would like, who don't have the financial means you do, who haven't necessarily read the Bible as much as you have, have the heart and sensitivity to human vulnerability and pain to observe Christ's teachings and minister his life more than you do. You whom claim you're 'a better Christian' in speech, knowledge and conduct. What shame should fill your soul.

Now I won't say they've got it all together but they're out there, no front, no facade, no desire for honour or accolades, and they're doing it. It sends chills up my spine thinking of every excuse I make and will make. Shame into my heart whenever I think of the profession I declare, and the shame of how my actions betray my words.

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Wednesday night: a man died in a car park in Birmingham town centre, 20 something, sleeping rough. Probably won't make the news. Tonight: two ladies, middle aged, are out in the freezing Birmingham streets, keeping their eyes open most of the night to avoid someone trying something. They've been doing that for a week and a half. And tonight, we'll be sleeping in our beds, maybe reading a book beforehand, hoping we'll get enough hours on our nice mattresses, preparing for tomorrow, still blind to the need. It's an interesting contrast.