‘Where you stand determines what you see’.
I became very aware of this fact 21 years ago when I found myself staring down the barrel of a shotgun held by a drunk biker 50m away; at a weekend run. Almost instantly I felt a pellet lodge in my ear and blood began to pour down my face; I began to wonder what was going on! I soon found out this was an accident and a few days later I was ‘baptised’ into local biker folklore with the new name of ‘Buckshot’, profuse apologies and a good story.
This incident and many others have helped me to understand what it means for ‘Jesus to be a friend of outcasts and sinners’. Where we stand does determine what we see – we live in a world that demonises those who aren’t acceptable to the ‘powers that be’. I have come to see that, from numerous interactions with people over the years and general observations of life - including many roadside encounters with the protectors of the status quo. Not everybody sees what we ‘see’.
All people love and are loved by someone; we all have value and a place to stand in the world. But those in power often see things differently from the people in the street, struggling to make a go of the life we have in front of us. They have a way of making it difficult for us to actually be good, just by changing the rules!
Jesus understands this having lived among us. His call and my membership in Squad over many years now have let me see things in a new way. The road may not be easy, I did get shot and have had a few other nasties along the way. There is always hope though, from the solidarity we share together and the God who befriends and lives among those the system demonises.
Be strong and courageous as we strive to live in peace together, come what may.
Buckshot - President
God’s Squad CMC, Wellington NZ
