Less than a month left in Spain! Hard to believe I'm uttering those words (If you want to follow up on my adventures, click here to go to my other blog.). It's safe to say that I've changed; I would hope that anyone who goes to a different country for five months would change in some way! The real question is, how have I changed and is it for the better? I'd like to think that I have changed for the better overall by becoming a more global citizen, aware of problems, different cultures, and just moreover how the world functions. Regardless of what job I take and where I take it, my aspirations will be more global and tolerant than they ever were before. That is good, regardless of what way you spin it.
Then there is the question of personal development. I reflect now and think this is more of a mixed bag. I've done things I didn't think I'd ever do (relax; I'm not a drug dealer) and certainly embraced the European nightlife a lot more than I thought I would. These two factors don't necessarily mean bad, however their influences can manifest themselves in not-so-helpful ways. I'm not going to get into details for privacy sake, but I've definitely made my fair share of mistakes, just like everyone else.
I think a lot of it has come down to the fact that all this is so foreign (duh) and new to me and that I really don't know what else to do. Well, wait, scratch that; I do. There are certain things I've been raised and taught by that I know are wrong. Does that mean I don't do them? No, I'm a sinner, just like I always was and always will be. What it boils down to, I've discovered, it what Paul says in Romans 3:7-8: "7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just.". Yes, it appears sometimes I've fallen into the "well, since I'm saved I can do whatever I want!" line of thinking, and because of such, I've fallen a bit more than I like. The good news is that I am never too far to turn back to God and try again, because I argue that's what our faith is built on - knowing what Jesus has done for us (died and forgiven our sins) and going to show the world his love manifested through us! Well, if only it was that easy. But there's no shame in trying, right?
An open personal thought I've had a lot here is in regards to the poor. There are a lot of beggars in the streets today, a lot more than I've ever been faced with in my lifetime. They're quite open about their desire for money and are often very aggressive until you give them something. My heart aches; I don't like seeing people in this states, and I know the economic crisis has hit this area of Spain particularly hard, but two factors remain: 1) I'm almost out of money myself, and I can't help all of them, and 2) I can't tell who is legitimate in their need for money over who is actually just too lazy to get a job and is okay with begging for a living - they exist, I've seen them. In Spain, and for that matter most of Europe, the Gypsy people have the reputation of being the career criminals, drug dealers, and pretty much everything else bad and unhelpful for society. Like every stereotype, it's true in some ways and wrong in others, but using them as a grand example, How could I tell which of them is actually hurting and needs help, and which one just wants my money to go buy a beer?
Help exists here, mainly through the forms of the Catholic Church and the government. I think more of what I could do is provide encouragement through conversation, which is a whole other level of intensity; I might have to practice for that one. Yikes. Anyways, when I return, I will look at the poor and destitute, the ones Jesus so often hung out with, in a much different manner.
We'll see if I can get one more post out before I'm back in America and to my normal, boring life.
Adios,
Jacob
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| Chillin' in the streets of Barcelona. |
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