I was watching Angelina Jolie speak about the plight of refugees around the world last night on CNN, and I was awestruck not only by the unimagineable conditions that millions around the world endure, but also by the fact that this movie star has used her influence to selflessly bring millions of marginalized people from the shadows into the spotlight. We live in a world where children are being raped, enslaved, tortured, orphaned, and getting their limbs hacked off by evil people (see above picture). All the while, the Church has been largely silent in answering their cries. Here is one woman whom many in the church condemn for having children out of wedlock or being "weird" while her life is doing more to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth than most entire churches are doing.
While too many Christians spend their time and energy arguing over minor doctrinal or cultural issues, children are dying and innocence is being shattered. I'm not trying to preach at anybody, because I know that there is much more that I could be doing, but I do believe that we will all have to give an account for all we didn't do with our one and only life here on this earth. Sure Angelina needs Jesus. Sure she should get married, I mean, I would even marry Brad Pitt (note: I'm completely straight). Of course she's weird (we all are), but I think that the Church has as much to learn from her as she has to learn from the Church. She's giving her wealth, influence and time to the poorest of the poor. She's doing the work of Jesus even though she might not know Him at all. How much more should we be doing as Christ Followers?
I know that we all have limitations and we say things like, "...well if I had millions of dollars, I'd help all kinds of people too, but I'm just one person. What difference could I make?" It's been said that to the world, you might be just one person, but to just one person, you might be the world. I think that might be a country song. The point is, all of us can help someone. Ashley and I are proud sponsors of a little girl through Compassion International. For $32 per month, she is provided food, education, medical help and she is told that God loves her and has a plan for her life. This organization is one of the most reputable non-profit organizations in the world, and if you're interested in making a real, life-changing impact for one child, log onto www.compassion.com and make it happen!
4 comments:
I couldn't have said it better myself. This is an issue I feel very strongly about. I used to think the same thing, that I couldn't help anybody, because I have no money. I was at the most recent winter jam concert here in Augusta and Holt International was there and I strongly felt my Father telling me to give even though my family and I couldn't save $30 a month. In obedience, I gave them my debit card number and a couple weeks later, when we signed a new rental agreement, they gave us a free month's rent. To put it in perspective, thats $62 extra a month if we were to split it up. And of course, there are many other ways to help people than by giving your money (which is really God's money anyway). I've found that the most valuable thing to give people is your time and show them that you care, showing the love of Christ through you. Really, the thing I learned is, if you have the heart, God will give you the resources as long as you put your trust in Him.
You need to go out tomorrow and buy this book:
A Long Way Gone
by Ishmael Beah
(this young man composed a memoir about his experiences as a child soldier...you wont be the same after finishing it)
Americans make up 5% of the world's population but have 52% of the world's wealth. Even the poorest among us would be considered well off compared to 90% of the rest of the world. There is a dichotomy, however, among American Christians whereby we struggle with what our culture tells us and what the Lord requires of us. American culture tell us to accumulate as much as possible even if it is at the expense of someone else. No one is going to give wealth to you, so you must take it, and wealth is something to be desired, not to help mankind, but as a means to an end, or as Tolkien would say, because men desire above all else...power. The point I am making is this, throughout the history of this great country, the majority of the people have claimed to love the Lord, despite many denominations, we are a nation of Christians, and I believe the wealth that God has blessed our country with is a test more than anything else. He says, "You say you love me?" "Prove it." "I will make you wealthy. Will you use it to help or subjugate the rest of the world?" All of us can spare $30 per month. I often hear nonbelievers say, "If there is a God, then why does he allow such poverty, starvation, and genocide?" The answer is that God doesn't allow these things. We do. The church has been given the tools to virtually eradicate world poverty, yet the enemy uses our culture to keep good people silently seeking the next gadget while much of the world dies hungry for food and the gospel.
Rock on brotha! I love me some Dave. I do. (And I love me some Angelina, too. But that's another story.)
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