Henry David Thoreau once said, “If you have built castles in the air your work need not be lost... put foundations under them.” I’ve admittedly stood at arm’s length from the Oak Ridge Revitalization Effort for quite some time now. This distance is ironic, given that our founding pastor, Martin Fischer, has taken on a leadership role—and given my natural interest via proximity (as I am employed by High Places at the Grove Theater). Hovering constantly around the periphery of these activities, I tend to approach them like probably most other Oak Ridgers. I read the paper, talk over a few cold beverages and party trays, then I promptly move back to taking care of my business. Fischer and I divide work that way.
My general disinterest hasn’t been ideological or political. It’s been about fatigue, 100%. The Grove Theater was exhausting – both mentally and physically. And the venue still has a ways to go to become the best it can be. Further, the work was just amplified upon completion. Building usage multiplied by a factor of 20, meaning everything else in the building did to, including the number of times I had to find a broom. I’m not complaining; it’s been awesome. But I confess that I’m tired.
But Fischer, who is my friend as well as my pastor, keeps dreaming big dreams. I guess that’s why after 20 years and two degrees, I’m still around mopping floors and preaching the Gospel for less than half of what I could be making someplace else. Vision does that to you, I suppose. God does that to you too, of this I have no doubts. Fischer gave up a much needed sabbatical for ORRE service and still, I am baffled as to why I’ve not raised a finger to do anything with revitalization. It started hitting me in the community forum that was held last week that maybe the thing that needed revitalizing most is me.
Granted, I try to chip away in my own areas. They aren’t so much feathers to stuff in a cap as they are part of the daily grind of my job. I suspect I’m not unlike many of you in that regard. We all chip away, stroke by stroke trying to make a difference. For most of us, it’s all about our kids… our families… an act of kindness here or there. Occasionally a person will get intentional about what they are doing, but most people don’t. “The week ends, the week begins.” So says Dave Matthews.
I figure it’s time for me to go on record, and I realize that may not mean much, but here it goes anyway. ORRE is the frontline of a battle that’s been waging in Oak Ridge since I was a kid. Maybe even since way before I was born, I don’t know. I would compare this battle to the kind of fights that happened between gladiators in the ancient Roman coliseums, meaning that most of us are just spectators ordering fresh fruit and hoping the blood doesn’t splash up on our shoes.
This is a war of ideology, plain and simple. And I want to say that am picking a side, right here and right now. It’s not a battle between the people and government. It’s not a battle between the liberals and the conservatives. It’s not a battle of inordinate tax burdens, nor is it a battle of ‘free lunch’ socialism. This, quite simply, is a battle between Hope and Apathy. It is a fight between Purpose and Despair.
I’m putting the gloves on and lacing them up tight. If you’re content to live life as a vocal naysayer that never lifts a finger to move this community forward, then put in a mouthpiece. This is my town too and I’ll go twelve rounds with you. If you’re a busy-body like me and skating around the edge of this thing with gentle curiosity, then let’s team up. Hold me up, because I am tired—exhausted even. I promise to do the same for you. We can do this and we can silence the voices of apathy and despair.
Maybe revitalization is just a castle in the air, but all is not lost. We can put a foundation under it. Before that can happen though, we might need to bring ourselves back to life. I know that’s the God honest truth for me.
Visit your local gladiators to enlist @
http://revitalizeoakridge.org/ or join them on Facebook. The revolution starts now. Step in, or step aside.
David Allred, M.Div
