Therefore, Go!

One of the best parts of being a reserve delegate is the first few days, when everyone is fresh and eager to get things started-- both on the plenary floor and legislative committees.  As a reserve, this time is a great opportunity to go outside and stretch the legs, since no one is really in need of a break.

So in one of the duller moments, I jumped on a Portland Streetcar, hoping to make it around the loop in 20 minutes as a miniature tour of Portland.  The conference is already crawling at a snail's pace, as we considered "Rule 44".  I think the debates and struggle just to agree on the rules we will follow for the next 8 days is a sign that this will not be easy.  Frustration abounds.    

Back to the Portland streetcar tour.  I hopped on and sat down, ready to go somewhere.  I looked at the map orienting myself, trying to figure out which stop the Pearl District would be.  We went four blocks and turned to go over the bridge.  And then we were stalled.  Stuck. In. Five.  O'clock. Traffic.  

I felt like I was living in a metaphor of our church.  Here's this streetcar, bound to it's tracks.  "If only we could switch lanes" I kept thinking to myself.  "Those lanes over here are moving just fine".  And we were not.  The signal light would change to green, and I would say-- "Therefore, Go!" (our General Conference theme).  And we would sit there, not budging.  At one point I got up and buzzed for the door to be open so I could get out and walk, but the streetcar doesn't allow people to exit in-between stops.  Ugh!!  My attempt to escape a little general conference slogging turned into more stalled frustration. 

Finally, we crawled the necessary 15 feet to the next stop and I quickly jumped out of the streetcar.  As I began to walk back to the Oregon Convention Center, I remembered I had these cards the GC4JC initiative gave to us for distribution.  The General Conference can be so intense and focused, we can forget that we are meeting in a city that has real life going on around us.

Churches from all across the WNC conference created handmade cards of hope to give out to the neighbors of Portland who live and sleep on the streets.  Let Your Light Shine! and God is Love were the two messages in the cards I handed out, along with a coupon for a meal.   Close by the famous Voodoo Donuts is Sisters of the Road Cafe that practices Dining With Dignity, meaning that they are committed to providing their community with a safe place to enjoy a meal, and to serving healthy food that has been sourced thoughtfully.  The cafe means life for those living on the streets of Portland, a place to pull up a chair and share a hot meal.

On my way back, I walked past the Moda Center where the Portland Trailblazers play NBA basketball.  There is quite the tent city of homeless folks camping out under the shade.  And so I gave away my cards, recognizing the myriad of life around me.  

I am reminded, and I believe it to be true, that no matter how frustrated, or how beautiful life can be, God is with us.  No doubt.