As my city, Evansville, comes in at the top for unhappiest city in yet another poll I cannot help but wonder if our outrage is making any changes. Each time this happens a group of thoughtful citizens who love this city become upset and respond. Speaking out against the media is not changing the answers our citizens are giving. There is something or maybe a lack of something in our city that is making people here very unhappy. I think in some areas we have made improvements in our city. There seem to me to be more things going on around here than when I moved here just 5 years ago. If people are truly unhappy though, no number of concerts in the park and farmers markets is going to fix that. I love those concerts and those farmers markets, you can find me there almost each and every week. I am not saying we do not need those things because we do! We need fresh, local food to keep our families healthy. We need community to keep our families healthy. I am just suggesting that there could be more issues at play here. Evansville has a high population of people experiencing homelessness. As that number grows many of these people are children and families. It seems that the domestic violence shelter I work at is serving more people than ever before. Drugs are rampant in our community. I hear about another couple getting divorced it seems like every day. There is strife in our churches and our workplaces.
We live in a broken community.
Speaking out to the people who did the poll just means those speaking out are happy, or want to appear happy. It does not mean that our community is happy and whole. If you do not want our city to stay on the list then instead of tweeting about how happy you are here, look for someone in your life that isn't happy here and try to make this city a better place for them. Reach out to agencies in our community that are doing great work to break the cycle of poverty and end homelessness and get on board with what they are doing to make our community a better place.
Bike paths and farmers markets and medical schools are great (and I am excited for them). But I am not sure those things will really make a better community.
Some of you may not agree with this, but I believe the answer to our cities brokenness is Jesus. I am proud to go to a church that is doing what we can to not just build a better church, but to build a better city. I think many churches in our community do an excellent job to help people in our community and look for ways to improve their community. If people are still SO unhappy that we come in the top 10 of unhappiest cities though, maybe it is time to reevaluate or just time to use arguments like this to get more people on board with the work they are doing. Many people in our city need to be met not just with their immediate needs but also with the love of Christ. They need to be told that no matter their circumstance, God loves them and is by their side.
"Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." James 1:27 (MSG)
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/map-shows-america%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98happiest%E2%80%99-and-%E2%80%98unhappiest%E2%80%99-cities
We live in a broken community.
Speaking out to the people who did the poll just means those speaking out are happy, or want to appear happy. It does not mean that our community is happy and whole. If you do not want our city to stay on the list then instead of tweeting about how happy you are here, look for someone in your life that isn't happy here and try to make this city a better place for them. Reach out to agencies in our community that are doing great work to break the cycle of poverty and end homelessness and get on board with what they are doing to make our community a better place.
Bike paths and farmers markets and medical schools are great (and I am excited for them). But I am not sure those things will really make a better community.
Some of you may not agree with this, but I believe the answer to our cities brokenness is Jesus. I am proud to go to a church that is doing what we can to not just build a better church, but to build a better city. I think many churches in our community do an excellent job to help people in our community and look for ways to improve their community. If people are still SO unhappy that we come in the top 10 of unhappiest cities though, maybe it is time to reevaluate or just time to use arguments like this to get more people on board with the work they are doing. Many people in our city need to be met not just with their immediate needs but also with the love of Christ. They need to be told that no matter their circumstance, God loves them and is by their side.
"Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." James 1:27 (MSG)
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/map-shows-america%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98happiest%E2%80%99-and-%E2%80%98unhappiest%E2%80%99-cities