A Tale of Two Worlds

On returning to work yesterday I could not help but notice the contrast between what seemed like two different worlds. The luxury of the hotel in its beautiful surroundings was exchanged for a rundown youth building in an area of boarded up houses. The rich and successful people were replaced by those for whom society holds out little hope – the ever growing underclass.

I do not want to get into arguments about what makes people rich and poor or the rights and wrongs of the situation. I would like to offer the two things that came to my mind.

Those I met at the weekend had, first and foremost a confidence in themselves. Secondly, they had a willingness to work hard. Both of these attributes would not go amiss with those I teach. Few have any confidence in themselves and their abilities: certainly none of them want to work hard to improve their chances in life. It would possible to argue for days as to why these kids are that way. Some of them have been let down by an educational system that has not catered for their needs – a system that is obsessed by exam results rather than turning out well rounded people. Some have been let down by social services failing to act decisively and in time. All have been let down by a society that for a long time has got its priorities wrong.

There are no quick fixes, but one thing we can do is see them as people and not just troublesome youths and ‘hoodies.’ We can all work to build up their confidence in their own abilities, giving praise where praise is due. These are people for whom Christ died. If they are valuable to Him then they should be just as valued to us. I doubt if any of them feel valued.