I started a new contract gig last week at the Chicago Tribune.  I am actually working in a division of the Tribune companies that develops and delivers accompanying websites to many of the Tribune’s papers.  Cool environment in a great location; Tribune Building on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.  The building has to be one of the most interesting buildings in the area, a grand ornate cathedral.  The architecture has famous quotes carved in the walls and pieces (literally stones, door plaques, etc.) of significant buildings form around the world, such as a block from the Whitehouse, a pebble embedded in brass and glass star from the identified cave of the nativity, etc.  You could spend hours, if not days, reviewing the treasures imbedded in the building.  The building can be quite inspiring if you consider the history in the building, but the location has caused me to pause. 

Michigan Avenue can be seen as gleaming badge of American’s success and our way of life or can be viewed as the pacifier for hungry souls and our willingness to swallow the lie.  The latter statement was not necessarily easy to write, because I have been there for most of my life, greedy and materialistic.  Only recently have I started to truly learn how to turn away from these sins that plague me and to look to God for my satisfaction.  The sickness of sin still suffers me, but now I understand how to allow this flaw in my character to keep me dependent on Christ.  In my efforts to subdue the sin it has driven me to search for a deeper meaning in my life in Christ, one that has truly slain all that is me so He can be seen. 

Observations:In the midst of the apparent success of society that can be seen from Michigan Avenue there are lonely people trying to feel a void in their soul and in their life.  If you want to see an obvious parallel to the life’s of those that are busy with the external view of success, take stairs below Michigan Avenue to Lower Michigan Avenue and Lower Wacker Drive.  Just below the surface of all the success and temporal happiness is some of Chicago’s poorest; the often overlooked and unseen on the “Magnificent Mile”, the homeless.