I woke up today in a bed. I had a sink to wash my face in, clothes to put on my back, and food to eat. I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to survive today. I knew when I went to Blair Shannon this morning that there would be a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk for me. I may not be the richest man in America, but I do live a very comfortable life and thank God for the good that come my way. The problem is that I get too comfortable. I become apathetic to the suffering going around me and that is when I play "World View" by Flame off the “Our World Fallen” album (A).
The song is a powerful look of the struggles going on all around the world, America included. One line that particularly hit me was "Open your eyes step away from MTV, see into CNN." Before I heard this, the only news I cared about came from ESPN. My mind was stuck in the comfort of being a young adult in America, and I foolishly ignored the world's issues. While listening to “World View” one day I decided to get some information sent my phone, via twitter, from CNN and Breaking News.
At first I was overwhelmed by the pain going on all around the world, and I thought all my Twitter and Facebook friends should know about these pains too. I have calmed down since then, but the little updates I get daily still melt my heart. Getting updates from the various earthquakes around the world, prisoner trades, random murders, and so much more has soften my heart tremendously.
Christian artist Brandon Health wrote a song called "Give Me Your Eyes" (B) that almost makes me cry when I hear it. The song makes me wonder “how can God handle watching all the pain death, and suffering in the world? I know I couldn’t.” I also know that God can be grieved (2 Sam 24:16(c), Mat 26:38(D)). He sees the suffering going on all over the world, there is no pain in the entire world that is hidden to the eyes of God (Heb 4:13 (E)). Then there is me... I can barely stand being in a hot room without whining and complaining. I cannot live the rest of my life comfortable and expect to do anything substantial for God. I have to be willing to sacrifice for those who have nothing (Deut 15:11 (F)) and go places outside of my comfort zone (John 4:7-10 (G)). There is a lot of suffering in this world, but we must not make ourselves ignorant. To ignore the pains of the world, both foreign and domestic, is to ignore the opportunity to share the same love God gave us to others. It is with that said that I implore the reader of this to go out into this chaotic world, find the place that God sees best fit for you, and be a light to the people that are around.
A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpWfEeGtxNw
B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY
C: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Sam%2024:16&version=NIV
D: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mat%2026:38&version=NIV
E: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%204:13&version=NIV
F: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut%2015:11&version=NIV
G: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:7-10&version=NIV
This is the dichotomy between the social gospel, and the "Prayer of Jabez" prosperity doctrine. How does God express his love? By blessing me, or by blessing others, through me? Shane Claiborne and others have written a lot about how we can do this; by making love and charity our ministries, and emulating Christ. Although it is not those good works which saves us, it is the natural expression of our ministry which does well for the world as a testimony to our belief.
ReplyDeleteThe shallow materialism of the first-world has led to a complacent and obese populace that has no need for God beyond "what can God do for my portfolio." But even beyond those who have, there are the lower and working class who you could say need God - or do they need someone to act as though they believe, and through a ministry of love and charity, inspire faith in others?
When we think of missionary work, we think mostly of preachers who go off to teach natives about a foreign deity, build a church building, get people to wear suits and sit in pews... but shouldn't we all be missionaries involved in building services, teaching skills, growing communities who are more capable, better off than before, because of the ministry a Christian has in obeying Jesus's commandment of loving their neighbor?
It is a delicate balance. Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of great joy. Sometimes we look at a man who has everything and we don't realize the pain in his heart. Sometimes we look at a man who has nothing materially but he has the love of god in his heart to such a degree that he doesn't need anything more.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is good to be aware of what is going on in the world it is important not to get bogged down by the perceived negativity of it because through great suffering can sometimes come great opportunities. We must have faith that things in the world are bigger than our simple minds and values can comprehend. In the end we can only give thanks and fill our hearts with gratitude for what we have and share as much as we can with others so that they too can see the things in their life which are worth being grateful for.
Never forget though the media makes money on suffering. They don't say if it bleeds it leads for nothing. People are full of fear and are naturally programmed to be aware. In today's society 24 media has taken this fear to an extreme. They could report 100X more positive stories but they make money on our fear and our grief. Don't fall for the lies. Life isn't nearly as bad as TV would have us all believe.