East Coast.

It is 10:00pm on a rainy, cold and uneventful night in the central part of New Jersey. I am sitting at the lone Starbucks in a town of 70,000 people, wearing my NY Yankees beanie and sipping a, currently lukewarm, cup of Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate. I know what you might be thinking right now... doesn't a 27 year old single guy with a gregarious personality and tons of energy have something better to do on a Friday night?? The truth is no. The close friends of my youth have fled to other, more exciting (seemingly), parts of the country. Diners, such as the newly redesigned Middletown Diner, are poised for business but the novelty of the 2:00am diner run fades away in the wake of my late 20s and the lack of companionship. The allure of an empty Starbucks, my Bible and a keyboard is more appealing. Its funny how that works sometimes? As much as I love being around people... sometimes space is required-to reflect on the relationships of the past.

In our current technologically revolutionized world it seems like we are never at a loss for "relationships." Social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook have redefined the way we are "plugged in." People can't go to sleep each day without checking "updated status" reports from their friends. Its funny, I thought that status reports were something Captain Kirk asked for after an attack from a Klingon vessel! Text messaging and mobile phones (notice I used "mobile" because I wanted to sound more British) have truly allowed people to have contact with people "24/7," while at the same time becoming the ultimate poster product of American Individualism. But as a friend of mine is quick to point out... are those really relationships?

This brings me to my "East Coast" title, because when I return to the East Coast I am reminded of the stereotypes: People are rude, overbearing, terrible drivers (my sister almost killed me 5 times while driving home from the airport), impatient, fast paced and work long hours. The cynic would say that the stereotypical East Coaster does not due relationships well. Some work til all hours of the night on Wall Street trying to make a ton of money in order to acquire "happiness." However, those of us who either grew up here or have spent some time know that those on the east coast are some of the most authentic people you will meet. They may "tell you like it is" but they also like to "take it like it is." Some of the most authentic and caring people are my friends from the east coast, who I know will always "have my back" (perhaps even Soprano style). Words from an east coast insider... the rest of the country gives the right coast a bad rap.

It is the relationships I made in New Jersey that brought to life the words of Hebrews 10-12. Church was about "spurring one another" to pursue Jesus and to "never give up meeting together." I've known a few people who deserve to be in the"hall of faith" and I felt like I was surrounded by the "cloud of witnesses." The race that I am now running is because of the relationships and the unbelievable examples of those who invested in me throughout my childhood and adolescent years--those who still love me with the love of Jesus. My friends from the east coast give meaning to the "fierce love" that Jesus has for his children. They may work hard and be rude sometimes, but no one will ever accuse an east coaster of being inauthentic or getting lazy when it comes to running of the race to pursue the "author and perfecter of our faith."

Much like the Yankees never lack in pursuing their free agent prize. Halla back C.C.!