On Cities

I remember hearing a quote a few years ago and it radically shaped my view of cities. For the life of me I can't find it, or even where I read it but it went something like this "The reason I love cities, is because that's where the people are. That's where I see God, in people"

My love for cities is deep. It's right in the core of my soul.

Mountains are beautiful. Oceans are calming. Rolling hills and still lakes refresh my soul.

But I really really really love cities.

I love the hustle and bustle. I love the busy sidewalks and cars everywhere.
I love the constant noise. I love coffee shops on every corner.
I love tall buildings and beautiful parks.

And skylines, oh I love skylines the most.

But why I really love cities, is because I love people.

I thrive in people.

I am an extrovert to the tee. (I once took a super intense personality quiz and the proctor said I had the highest extrovert score she had ever seen. Also the most decisive. The loud and bossy comes out often)

People are food for my soul.

People are where I see God.

"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness"

People are the likeness of God. In them I see his beauty.

I see His mercy in my sweet friend Joanna.

I understand truth and grace through Rhonda.

Through Laura I see how he is teacher.

I see his uniqueness in Marietta.

I see his boldness in my friends Austin and Nate.

In Kristen I see his peace and stability.

I see Jesus in the people around me.

And more importantly I see the need for Jesus in people around me.

When I look upon my beautiful city, I think about how over 90% of them are "unchurched".

A great majority of neighbors heading for an eternity apart from the God who loves them.

I see a city built on recreation. I see a people settling for marijuana when only Jesus will satisfy them.

I see a highly individualistic society, when I know we were built for community and love.

I see sadness, brokenness, hopelessness.

When I look upon cities I see people. And people need Jesus.

When I look upon my beautiful city, when I see the crowds of people I want to respond like Jesus did:

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" Matt 9:36

Oh Jesus, come be a shepherd in our city. Come light our dark streets. Jesus we plead that you move in the many hearts, that you would reign here.