Soul Survivor

My wife and I have VERY different tastes in music. I like Folk-Folk Rock- and Bluegrass and she likes Hip Hop and Crap.. uhh I mean rap :-)

Anyway, last night she saw a song on the Yahoo Music page I was on and wanted me to hear it. It was by an artist name Young Jeezy and the title was "Soul Survivor" It was a sad song and it reminded me of some friends I had back in high school that "rolled Vice Lords." But alas it was bed time and it was not my style of music so I went to bed intending to forget the song.

I have not been able to do that. It is the second verse that sticks with me:

Another day, another dolla (dolla)-same block, same nigga, same part, same green
I guess we got the same dreams (Ayy)
Or is it the same nightmares (nightmares)
We let the doves do it for us -- we don't cry tears (That's right)
Real niggaz don't budge
When Mail Man got his time he shot birds at the judge (Yeah)
I'm knee deep in the game
So when it's time to re-up, I'm knee deep in the cane (Damn)
Real talk, Look, I'm tellin' you mayne (tellin' you mayne)
If you get jammed up don't mention my name
Forgive me Lord--I know I aint livin' right
Gotta feed the block, niggaz starvin', they got appitites (Ayy)
And this is er'day, it never gets old (Old)
Thought I was a juvenile stuck to the G-Code (Yeah)
This aint a rap song, nigga this is my life (this is my life)
And if the hood was a battlefield then I'd earn stripes (Yeah)

It is the idea that he feels "trapped" in the lifestyle as the provider for his family and neighbors. I shudder at thoughts I have had, misunderstandings I have experienced. I mourn for a world where a person is burdened with this world of trouble.

I think this is why Jesus had such great compassion. I think he saw the whole picture, not a dualistic, "The business man is good and the gang banging thug is bad." instead Jesus saw the need for redemption in both these people. Jesus experienced life with people and loved them understanding what experiences they brought to the table.

I want to see the whole person, the whole heart, and the whole motivation before I jump to conclusions. I want to have compassion like Jesus had.