I just came back from a cruise. Cruises are probably the greatest vaccations ever. Tropical locations, all the food you can eat, fun parties and good shows every night; all included. What a deal, I eat, I sleep and do whatever pleases me. Its funny how conviction works. For me it usually takes a couple of days to sink in; it's what the rest of you call denial. I was on the boat soaking up the rays, having my drink of choice reading an article pleading for my help in Africa to help get fresh drinking water to the thirsty and dying via Blood:water mission. I remember thinking to myself, "How touching" and feeling very satisfied and fulfilled as a person for being aware of such things as I took another sip of my beverage (becauase it was hot outside and I was thirsty). Anyone else see a problem here? I've done this before though; I've walked past a homeless person eating my oh so tasty sandwich filling my already oversized stomach while that guy over there goes hungry. We get through ok by telling ourselves that they choose to be homeless and hungry and that if he really wanted to he could get something to eat and that Africa is just a place on a map and it really couldnt be as bad as all those TV commercials make it out to be or that little girls really dont have it that bad in China and that thousands arent killed in exchange for sons everyday. I am tired. I'm tired of feeling ok with myself by living in the hypocricy of me. This is not an indictment on you fellow cruisers out there but a plea to be real with ourselves. On the whole we could really care less about anything but ourselves and where that next cheeseburger is coming from. We claim Christ as our savior as our prime example in life yet we live like we think we are deserving and privileged because we have been choosen and blessed by God to enjoy this. When people left from being with Jesus they were never left unfilled spiritually or physically. They had everything they needed when they left. We give them pamphlets and the location of the nearest shelter or some other government sponsered facility for their kind.
In the Wizard of Oz the tin-man is introduced as the character without a heart and who is on a search to find one. In a sense I wish we could all realize what the tin-man knew that we all deny. That we truly have no heart if we arent broken by hungry children, innocent people suffering, homeless men and women who just wish a soul would aknowledge them as existing and anyone else who might be hurting. We need to stop making excuses for not helping and get up of the couch, put away the bag of chips, in fact put away your wallet too because your money doesnt fix anything till your heart and your hands are willing too. Now go change the world, let them know this is not just a fad but a commitment to something greater than you or me. (It's Jesus in case you were wondering)
3 comments:
Craig,
I see three problems. First, it just seems like these problems are so far away from our everyday lives. I cannot imagine how people live in other countries. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this problem seems so distant to me. It's easy to go on ignoring it as if it is not there. Second, even if we wanted to help, what's the right way of helping? Sure we could get a bunch of money together and deliver short-term relief, that's easy. However it seems that in the long-run that doesn't do much good. I had a friend today quote this to me: "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime." So, I think there's a lot more to helping people that we need to have in mind. Third thing, is what's really important. You mentioned that when a person left Jesus they had what they needed physically and spiritually. How do we find the balance? I see the spiritual side as a greater issue, but the physical sometimes needs to be adressed before the spiritual it seems
Ok, ok, so then what? Even if we had all our thinking right, how do we get involved? I have no idea what to do. Sometimes I feel like every Christian needs to be involved in the mission of God, and in missions. Let's do something. Let's get together with these mission organizations, or better our own church and commit ourselves to make a difference. What, we need to stay home and make money...do we not trust God that if we are doing His work that He will not provide?? AAAhh..this frustrates me. I wish Christians would take the Great Comission more seriously. But what do we do?
Samanta
In response to Sam's comments: a lot of top-notch missions organizations already exist; we just don't know about them. I'm most familiar with Go Now Missions (done through the BGCT), but of course we've got EEM right at Bammel, and countless others close by. I think every Christian should be involved in missions, but not necessarily in the typical "missions" sense: we're all foreigners here, as Peter says in his first letter. We should live like aliens, and have the perspective of Hebrews 11==this world is not our home.
I also think that THE most important/effective thing we can do is pray. I don't think we realize how powerful our prayers can be, and the idea that God might limit His sovereignty until we ask Him to move is anathema to a great many people. The vast well of spiritual power is left largely untapped by the American church (i cannot speak for the rest of the world). Read "The Autobiography of George Mueller" or anything by Leonard Ravenhill, Watchman Nee, Charles Spurgeon, etc, and you'll see how the great, godly men of recent times have become such important figures in the kingdom of heaven. I think it is impossible to overstate the importance and power of prayer. If you want to get involved in missions, a great first step is to find a country or a missionary, learn about them, and then pray for them daily. At first, the prayers are likely to be short and well-meaning, but as you train yourself to pray, you will find the experience intense and at times physically and emotionally exhausting. The various spiritual disciplines are all important, and i encourage the study and cultivation of each of them, but i say again that the discipline of prayer is what we need to cultivate more than any other.
Blake
Let's go. I read this and of course I was there and I had this discussion with him but what next. We have to actually get out there. I know this is hard. I have to get my new place in order, go shopping for three shower gifts for tomorrow, find a dresser, grocery shop and plan meals for the week. What can I do about it? But I have to. I need to start living my life as Christ lived. I'm not saying that means not going to the showers but maybe getting up before 11 on Saturday and helping out. Packing my lunch so I will have more to give to others. Finding someone to reach out to. They are everywhere. I feel like I need a clearer direction, but it seems like I have to start somewhere. I can't pack everyone up and just go...or can I... that is not a bad idea. Ok well I'll explain when I figure out the details. lets go. Let's be a part of a change. The church actually being the hands and feet of Christ in their everyday. Don't worry about the cruises you may miss this is going to be amazing.
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