Troy Hamby

A great man has died!  I’m sure you probably thought I was referring to Michael Jackson…while I greatly enjoyed his music growing up, I am not talking about him.  I’m talking about another man named Michael.  This was a Michael that you definitely never heard of…in fact, if you saw this Michael, you probably would have turned your head or walked faster so that you wouldn’t have to talk to him.  If I hadn’t talked to Michael in person, I would have probably done the same thing but my 5 minute conversation with this Michael changed the way I see the poor and I’m very sad he’s gone.

When I went to pick up people at the homeless shelter this morning, there were a bunch of police cars in the parking lot.  When I got inside, I found out that Mike, the man from one of my previous posts, had died during the night.  They’re not sure yet what exactly cause his death, only that he seemed to go peacefully in his sleep.  I don’t know why but this has really affected me today.  Maybe it’s because when I turn the TV on, I see the world “grieiving” over the death of Michael Jackson…talking about him in the same breath as Elvis, Beethoven and JFK.  But, then I have to wonder who is grieving over the other Michael?  Who is weeping because he’s no longer with us?  Who will miss his smile or be a lesser person because he’s not here any longer?  And if the answer is no one, then why not?  Because he was homeless?  Because he had nothing to “give” back to anyone other than himself?

I have to look in the mirror and admit that I’m the “chief of sinners” where this is concerned.  I am so consumed with my life…making sure I’m making enough to provide for my family and making sure I get a better job and wondering when God is going to restore my ministry.  All the while God is weeping over the Mike’s of this world who have been discared and abandoned while His children are more concerned about what they can get from Him.

God, break our hearts with what breaks yours!  Help us to see Mike…REALLY see him…not as a homeless person but as a cherished, beloved child that you love dearly!  Help us to lay down our selfishness and obsession for stuff and pick up your desire to see justice done for the poor and oppressed all around us…and start with me!