“Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”
–Frederick Buechner, American writer/theologian

 

The nature of my work is to be with people at perhaps some of the lowest points in their lives.

This has an effect on my perspective. In some sense it’s accurate to say “it takes a toll,” because bearing witness to suffering is overwhelming, and is itself one more kind of suffering.

But isolation from the suffering of others is suffering as well. The true toll would come from not being there.

It’s important for me to see reality. No, reality isn’t as low as all that for all people, and not all the time for anyone.

Reality is, we have a system and way of life with serious structural problems. Namely, there doesn’t appear to be a floor. People always talk about a roof over our head. But how about a floor under our feet? How about some ground to stand on? How about a surface to rest upon? How about a loving net of woven hands to catch us when we fall.

Because we fall. We suffer. It’s bound up even in joy.

There will always be sadness, dis-ease, disappointment, doubt, hurt, lack, and unwelcome surprise. No death, no life. No mud, no lotus.

But for God’s sake, it doesn’t have to be a bottomless pit. It doesn’t have to mean abject poverty, homelessness, ostracization, marginalization. It doesn’t have to mean indignity.

It is the way of things now, but it won’t be forever.

Reality is, we’re all under the same roof, and we all need a merciful place to rest.