One Mile.

Boulevard Rd. in Atlanta stretches for a few miles. In my world, it starts at the Federal Penitentiary (near my neighborhood), drives passed one of the best parks, and ends a block away from one of my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joes in a very nice neighborhood in Midtown. In the past, when I have had to give directions involving certain sections of Boulevard people say, "oh, I avoid that section of Boulevard." Usually I shrug my shoulders at them and say, "well, this is the way I need you to go in order for you to get here."

Either way, for me, Boulevard is a stretch that reaches the depths of diversity, economically and spiritually, that exists in this city. On one end it is a block away from the very, very rich-large houses, Piedmont park, and a stretching skyline. On my end, the very very poor-prostitutes, crack addicts, imprisoned, homeless, immigrants, and mental health. I've been perplexed by this for years. How can a one mile stretch of land have so much economic inequality? How can a city be so rich AND so poor at the same time? How can there be so many Christian here in the south and there still be so much racism, prejudice, and injustice?

These are questions that I still have not fully answered. In fact, most of the time, I am frustrated with what answers begin to materialize. So, I continue to cling to Christ. "Christ, who is our life." Colossians 3:4 Jesus, the man who had nothing but the peace of a loving father. Jesus, who's heart would break at the sight of such inequity. Jesus, the man who said sell your stuff and serve the poor. I cling that his love will prevail.