stepping out

Last night Ezer and I went to the annual gala dinner of APICHA, Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS. It was at a very nice venue by South Street Seaport (my first time there!) with a good view of the bridge lights (um, not sure which bridge that was). As I answered the question of the man to my left, who asked how Ezer and I met (gave the long story, involves church), I noted that our table was almost all men, the lone exception being a mother of one of the men. The man who asked the question was sitting next to his partner of 17 years. I found that I wasn't used to being the odd one out and wondered how many Christians came to events like these. It also made me think about how powerful a testimony it is when we support groups that are not reflective of ourselves i.e. members of African American AIDS organizations attending last night's dinner....or evangelical Christians. While I do think it's good that the church support missionaries around the world, I wonder if it would be just as powerful a testimony to also support local community causes and work in the trenches with people unlike us, united around a goal compatible with Christianity with the Holy Spirit working through us.

This morning there was a column observing that New Yorkers are often seen around town and on subways with iPods, reading, talking on cellphones, etc. The writer was suggesting that so much daily noise perhaps inhibited potential eureka moments that need extended periods of mental rumination to come to fruition. My mind went to the Christian practice of daily time with God for Bible reading, prayer, meditation. The Christian disciplines (which also include fasting, giving and a variety of other ones) are meant to help bring us to a place where we can allow God to work. I know that I rarely allow much room and time for God to speak to me even when I do read and pray...my daily dose is probably only 10 minutes which makes me think I am probably missing much. The solution isn't to feel guilty, but to change and try something new.