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Late Night by Local

Last night I was coming home on the A train when I saw a guy that looked almost exactly like the Booze Man, except he was sober, clean and had the use of both his eyes. In fact if it weren’t for those three distinguishing characteristics I would’ve thought he was the same man. He even looked at me as if he recognized me. But eventually we just ignored each other just like everyone else on the subway does.

There were some drinkers on the subway, and there were people coming back from the clubs and acting bigger than they actually are, trying to impress the ladies. (of course you see them everywhere, even in Wisconsin) You wait longer for the trains late at night, and some of the express trains run on the local track giving you plenty of time to observe the more nocturnal side of humanity. They don’t run as many trains so even though there are fewer people riding the subway, the ride can be quite crowded.

It makes me think of how many times I have been just like those guys, if not outright at least in my heart, putting on airs and trying to make myself look bigger than I really am. I know it’s good to wisely navigate the social wilderness, but a lie’s a lie. Just when I think I’ve got society figured out, and I think I’m humble enough to be myself, I find people are different than I thought and either the mask goes back on again or I find it was never removed in the first place.

I guess that’s the thing about following God. He shows you your bad parts in order to correct them. The light makes things clear, unlike the darkness which will only show you your good parts and pursuade you that everything’s okay and you don’t need to change.