First Class Justice

I have a confession.  I'm on my way to Guatemala City for a class on Spiritual Formation and Social Justice.  The pre-class reading has already convicted me.  Not like a shame-filled, guilt motivated burden, but like a love-expanding, eye-opening invitation.   

So, here is where the confession comes in.  I'm currently sitting in the United Club in the Houston airport.  In a moment of self-protecting rationalization I upgraded the next leg of my journey to first class.  That's right.  Just as I open my heart to the injustices that most of the world experiences, I make a move that only highlights the separation between the haves and the have-nots.  

My excuse?  My heart isn't working as well as it should and long flights cause my ankles to swell up like a pregnant elephant.  More leg room in business class with the ability to lift my feet and help my poor, ailing heart get blood to my extremities must be what God wants for me.  Right?  Plus, it was an absolute STEAL!

Don't worry, I'm not demonizing first class.  On the contrary, so far it has been the best decision I've made all day and I haven't even boarded the plane yet.  My flight is delayed and instead of the impersonal, glaring fluorescent lights of the general boarding area I'm enjoying a comfortable leather chair with a personal outlet for my waning computer battery.  There may or may not be free drinks available (I haven't made it that far yet) and the wifi is much faster than what I was getting outside these doors.  I'm pretty sure the bathrooms are much cleaner in here as well.   This is good.  Very good.  

But it does highlight the fact that I'm an insider.  True, in my 47 years  I've never been in an airline 'club' or flown first class on my own dollar , but I fit in here.  I'm in insider.  I have power.  And that means I have a responsibility to use that power for the good of those who don't.  

I don't know what that looks like yet, but I'm more keenly aware of that than ever before.  So this week I'll be updating you on the journey God is leading me on.  And, my guess is, it won't involve a lifetime of first class.  Then again, you never know.