Society 911

Alright, I have to confess. I have been watching too much world news lately.

I realize news media emphasize everything thats wrong with everything and we tend to get a skewed picture of what is happening in the world. I understand that, but nonetheless, the injustice bothers me deeply. I imagine there is much justice taking place, many people and organizations accomplishing good things, but I still end up with a bad taste in my mouth.

Are the statistics real? I don't know.

I mean, how can 25,000 children die every day from hunger? (According to UNICEF)
How can 1 billion people not read or write? (UNICEF)
How can 2.6 billion people lack basic water sanitation? (UN)
How can 400 million children not have access to safe water? (UN)

Is this real? How accurate is this information? How can this occur?

I think the hardest thing for me is that I live in such a wealthy country. I live in a country that throws away food. I live in a country where a major health issue is being overweight. Many of my countrymen wake up and take for granted all the luxuries they have that others only dream of possessing (like indoor plumbing and drinkable water). We expand our desires of what we "need" so far beyond what is "needed" that we can find no joy, no satisfaction, with the basic necessities and enjoyments of life. Not only that but we incur debt ourselves to provide things we don't need and only shackle us to years of debt payments and stress should the economy falter.

How did we get here?

I live in a country that has so much technology, so much charity, so much religion, so much opportunity to do something about these issues. Never has the Earth seen such an advanced civilization with the ability to do so much, so fast.

I wonder what would happen if we could improve the conditions of life in these "poor" areas. Would they then face the same issues we face with excess and busyness and no appreciation for what they possessed? Would they lose their souls?

If we improved life in other places, what does that even look like? Who can articulate that? Should we improve it to be like us? If thats the case, I am concerned.

More consumerism isn't healthy, more debt finance isn't healthy, more wealth for the rich and slavery for the poor isn't very noble, more stuff doesn't fill the hole.

Who has the answer, I can think of only one. We all need Christ at the center. I think Christ at the center pulls us altogether. Only then is it not about material things or power or status or false pursuits, only then is it God and loving your neighbor. What if my countryman learned to carry this out with each other then we may shine forth to the world a different way?

But I feel like we get more excited about a sports event than we do about living and sharing the gospel with those that need it.

I feel like we give up and throw our hands up from our continual let downs by our leaders.

Where do we go? What can we do? Isn't that the question?

Thats the question I'm praying about and pondering. That's the question poking my conscience. Then I look around, I look around for one. One near me, where are you. I want to at least be faithful to one when the problems of the world seem so large, there is always one to be helped..........so it begins with you and me.

Janitor

Here I am sitting in the hospital. Along comes a janitor mopping the floor of the room. She overhears my conversation about church and a prayer over lunch. She approaches and asks what church I attend. I respond. Immediately, she begins preaching. Preaching like you do not hear very often. Preaching I admire and wish I had such adept ability at executing. She is on fire. The janitor at the hospital, who'd of thunk it?

She goes on to tell me about growing up in Iran and being a Muslim. She said, "We had no personal relationship with God. We knew of Jesus, we just thought he was a prophet. We had no idea He was Son of God!" With her cute accent and broken English she goes on to explain multiple situations of actions she took in her life based on the Word of God. The very first time she heard the Gospel she responded with joy to be a Christian. She shared her disappointment with the state of the church and the lack of those that actually live out their faith.

This lady, she amazes me. Where did she come from? Does the hospital know they have an on fire preacher roaming these halls? She recalls multiple examples of witnessing to patients, patients on their death beds. There is something irresistible about her faith. It glows. She shines. This janitor puts me to shame.

What was that Jesus said about the last being first and the first being last?

This Christmas, The Best Christmas

There is a need this season, as there is always that stubborn need. That need which sticks around all year for the families living in poverty. On such a commercial celebration as is Christmas, the poor feel especially left out for they have nothing to give. Those that have no gifts for their children and are planning on making a visit to the hospital with a parent dying from cancer. There is much cause for all children with gifts under the tree and parents who can give them to be joyful and thankful to God Almighty that they should have such a privilege. I know there are many who do not have such a joy. Their worries are not if they have the latest xbox or the coolest clothes, but if they have diapers because they have no means of getting any more without some form of charity from someone who cares.

This Christmas has been the best for me personally. God continues to answer my prayer to use me for His will. There was a need for 27 pairs of shoes for a Christmas gift for less fortunate neighbors in my community. There was a fund raising of the expected funds required for such a gift. By a miracle from heaven, God provided a half price sale the day we just happened to make our purchase by no planning or knowledge on our part. God gave 43 pairs of shoes that day. There were 18 apartments where children have 1 additional reason this year to know they are loved and 18 sets of parents out there know someone cares about them as well.

I think I am hooked on walking with the Lord. I am beginning to see that there is no other way for me. I can find no other fulfillment. I can imagine nothing I would rather do. Who would not want to restore justice in the world? Who would not want to stand up for truth? Who would not want to love others no matter who they are or what they've done to you? Who would not want to do what is right? Where else can you do those things? I have found no other place than this faith.

Where else can my heart be opened up and exposed to people close to me? Where else do you find people who care about life, about family, about community, about marriage, about saving babies from being murdered, about helping the poor, about respecting parents, about respecting women for more than just looks, or for raising the bar on morality? Where else can you prepare for eternity if not in the faith? Where else can we turn but to Jesus Christ? He opened the way for us to follow, which leads us into all those things, such as truth, justice, morality. If we pursue any of those things by themselves, we are pursuing a part of Him, a part of divine things. Those absolute good things are divine, they are heavenly and they are only shadows cast on a wall here on planet Earth. But just because they are shadows here, some say they don't exist. They say truth is relative, you decide for yourself what is true. Just because the shadows are not real does not mean there is not something on the other side of heaven, which is real and does exist, casting those shadows. And anyhow, I would rather die with principles and dreams that I chased and pursued than to die with not having stood up for anything I believed in. If a man firmly believes that life is about partying, sex, drugs, and having excessive material goods....Then let him have all of it he wants, at least he is following what he believes. But if a man catch a glimpse of the possibility that there are things of a divine nature here that can be pursued and lived upon and he not pursue what he believes to exist, than shame on him.

All that to say, I am happy this Christmas. I believe I am more happy, joyful and fulfilled than I have ever been in my life. Thank you Jesus for paving the way. And I look to the future with anticipation for whatever may come my way. Even if it be difficulty and trouble, I look forward to pursuing the truth and living by my convictions for all of my life.