How Sad
What a sad sight! A grown man eating out of a garbage bin. I see it often.
I live in Santa Monica, CA, which is located on the Pacific Ocean. The weather is about as ideal as it gets on this planet. Consequently, it attracts homeless people. The people of Santa Monica are, for the most part, sympathetic. It is a very, very liberal town, affectionately known as “The People Republic of Santa Monica.” The government as well as non-profit organizations provides beds and meals. There is no need for anyone in Santa Monica to lack for a good meal or a clean bed. Nevertheless, every night, people sleep on the beach or in the parks and rummage through garbage bins. Many are collecting bottles and cans to sell, so they can buy booze, but some are looking for food. With so many other options, it’s really sad to see people choose to eat garbage.
What I have just described actually happens every day. It is also an allegory of me and you. Oh, we don’t eat out of garbage bins; we watch TV and listen to talk radio. Except for a few select programs, I gave up TV years ago, not because I felt it was sinful to watch TV, but because I have better things to do with my time. Living in LA, however, I have a lot of car time and for years I have listened to the radio, especially talk radio. Is it me or is it getting worst?
On occasion, I have mentioned that someday, I would love to read, or at least know something of, the one hundred greatest books. To my great surprise and delight, my wife gave me “The World’s Greatest Books” on tape for Christmas. Since then I have listened to tapes in the car. Some days I don’t even listen to the news, a departure from my norm.
One of the things that has jolted me is the level of food I have allow my mind to feed on in my own car! What a difference listening to something more educational.
Some will suggest that I listen to Christian radio. I have and sometimes I do, but frankly, not all on Christian radio is health cuisine either. Or some will say that I should listen to Christian tapes. I do. I recommend that you do as well. A friend of mine got the Bible on tape for Christmas and listens as he commutes to work and back.
That is not my point. My point is that we allow ourselves to do all of that and still feed on garbage. Perhaps, there is so much of it in the world, some of it is unavoidable. Maybe, I am just feeling like the old spiritual that says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin through.” Whatever, this much I know, we should follow Paul’s advice.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things (Phil. 4:8).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 3/2/2002
I live in Santa Monica, CA, which is located on the Pacific Ocean. The weather is about as ideal as it gets on this planet. Consequently, it attracts homeless people. The people of Santa Monica are, for the most part, sympathetic. It is a very, very liberal town, affectionately known as “The People Republic of Santa Monica.” The government as well as non-profit organizations provides beds and meals. There is no need for anyone in Santa Monica to lack for a good meal or a clean bed. Nevertheless, every night, people sleep on the beach or in the parks and rummage through garbage bins. Many are collecting bottles and cans to sell, so they can buy booze, but some are looking for food. With so many other options, it’s really sad to see people choose to eat garbage.
What I have just described actually happens every day. It is also an allegory of me and you. Oh, we don’t eat out of garbage bins; we watch TV and listen to talk radio. Except for a few select programs, I gave up TV years ago, not because I felt it was sinful to watch TV, but because I have better things to do with my time. Living in LA, however, I have a lot of car time and for years I have listened to the radio, especially talk radio. Is it me or is it getting worst?
On occasion, I have mentioned that someday, I would love to read, or at least know something of, the one hundred greatest books. To my great surprise and delight, my wife gave me “The World’s Greatest Books” on tape for Christmas. Since then I have listened to tapes in the car. Some days I don’t even listen to the news, a departure from my norm.
One of the things that has jolted me is the level of food I have allow my mind to feed on in my own car! What a difference listening to something more educational.
Some will suggest that I listen to Christian radio. I have and sometimes I do, but frankly, not all on Christian radio is health cuisine either. Or some will say that I should listen to Christian tapes. I do. I recommend that you do as well. A friend of mine got the Bible on tape for Christmas and listens as he commutes to work and back.
That is not my point. My point is that we allow ourselves to do all of that and still feed on garbage. Perhaps, there is so much of it in the world, some of it is unavoidable. Maybe, I am just feeling like the old spiritual that says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin through.” Whatever, this much I know, we should follow Paul’s advice.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things (Phil. 4:8).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 3/2/2002