The Worlds We Live In

I live in three worlds. These are not metaphorical places.  They have distinct geographies, unique languages and separate cultures.  One world is marked by affluence, luxury, private wine cellars and entitlement.  The world I was born into, and spend most of my time, is defined by its conveniences, security, neighborhood pools and entitlement.  The third world is recognized by material lack, instability, houses on wheels and entitlement.  They are distinct and different but the children of these three worlds share the same classroom. 

My work places me in all three world’s most days so I’ve had to become tri-lingual in my communication.   I own a restaurant consulting company (www.boaz1.com) that sells franchises to investors and entrepreneurs, this world speaks the language of investment, asset accumulation and job creation.  I live in a very middle class neighborhood where we talk at the end of the driveway about getting our kids to college, finishing our basement and job security.  I lead a non-profit organization (www.joshuasplace.cc) that exists to help struggling families overcome barriers.  Those conversations can be about health crisis, providing food for children and economic vulnerability.   I don’t have to drive more than two miles to meet with people in these three worlds. 

Our society allows for class mobility and we want to be believe classism is something in other parts of the world.  However a caste system does exist here, it’s more subtle, but it’s real.  Ruby Payne, author of A Framework for Understanding Poverty, talks about these worlds having “hidden rules” and unique cultures (chart example below).   A mom in the wealth class is uniquely equipped to hire domestic help, a mom in the middle class can easily maneuver through soccer sign ups and a mom in the poverty class can move an entire household in 24 hours.   Three moms, three worlds, three skill requirements. 

What’s interesting to me is when the worlds pass judgment on one another.   As I share with those in the wealth and middle class about the work we do for struggling families, it’s not unusual to hear criticisms of families in “need” owning 50 inch TV’s and using iPhones.  Meanwhile, the single mom’s working for maid services laugh at the homes they clean that have $50,000 exercise rooms that need regular dusting.  These worlds see money differently and we know our view of money reveals personal value systems.  Three worlds, three value systems. 

So what’s to be learned from this?  It’s taken a few years but I’ve come to realize that, while these worlds are very different, people are the same.  Don’t get me wrong, there is no danger of confusing the citizens of these three worlds from the outside.  However, as you dive deeper and know the truer stories you’ll find the core needs are surprisingly similar.  The challenges are worlds apart but the hopes of each class are nearly identical.   Each of us want to belong and be known, known for who we are not our street address.   We all hope to be part of something bigger than our individual stories and that our futures are not completely defined by our past.  It’s in these similarities that my three worlds come together.  Three worlds, one human condition. 

The human condition has not changed since Jesus walked the earth and I’m amazed at how He always brought different people together.  He didn’t create authentic community by ignoring the diversity of unique experiences but instead pointed different peoples to a common hope.  He talked about a Kingdom that He brought where the least is greatest, the first is last, a world where shepherds leave the ninety-nine to find the one, a Kingdom where a wealthy father sets aside his dignity to welcome home a rebellious and poor son.  He brought a Kingdom to this world based on a new hope and a common call to an abundant life.  Not necessarily abundant in material terms but better, abundant in purpose, abundant in community and abundant in hope.   

It’s in this hope that I spend my days bringing my three worlds together. I’m committed to authentic community marked by a diverse collection of socio-economic realities.  The church I lead (www.thevillagechurch.cc) has a unique mix of all three worlds connected by the simplicity of one common purpose.  It’s not easy, there is nothing more divisive in our culture than economic status.  However, we all serve the One that brings His Kingdom to earth as it in heaven.  Three worlds, one church.