A Park, the Church? (a Place of Refuge)

I’m fascinated by symbolism, and the city of Birmingham is absolutely filled with it: the pictures and words, statutes and nameplates all pointing to a fight for revolution, reconciliation, dignity, freedom, justice. Places everywhere honor countless unnamed people who sacrificed for Civil Rights in the sixties, each spot celebrating the heroes standing together in hopes of a better tomorrow.

The park pictured above struck me especially deeply: in it, a statue. Around it, dozens of people maybe homeless or just out-of-luck, grouped together or sitting alone, calling out to those around them.

Honestly, the park was uncomfortable: it surely could be deemed an “eyesore,” run down, dirty. And yet, I’ve been praying for eyes to see all that is beautiful, and certainly, this park is: people gathered together by an icon of freedom, drawn to a place they can rest. Don’t we all need more hope, more shadows to rest in with reminders of all that is good and true?

I wondered this here today: what it would be for the Church to be just like this park? A magnet for redemption, a refuge for the outsiders, a fireplace for the cold and outcast? A place so attractive to those on the “outside” that it makes those on the “inside” uncomfortable in a way that only the Gospel can?

I started praying for this today as I walked around the city. A cry that the Church (that I) would turn each place around it (me) into a refuge for those in the “out” groups to be welcomed “in.” That we would become such Light in dark places that those searching couldn’t help but run straight in and be welcomed with open arms.

I am who I am today because of the dozens of people who have loved me like this — Church, let’s keep it up! Fight for this! Be foragers of hope right here! I think there will be overflowing beauty found.