-- Jesus' platform was freedom wrapped in humility, service and love. Unfortunately our system is dominated by pride and selfishness. Not everyone mind you, but it is dominated by that attitude. Until we humble ourselves and submit to the One, I fear we will continue on our current path no matter who is president. --
I've been thinking a lot about how our world tries to meet physical needs. We have countless programs in our country helping all different kinds of people in all different kinds of situations. And I'm thankful for that. We need the help! But I'm also reminded that meeting someone's physical needs provides a temporary fix. Introducing them to the One who can meet all their spiritual needs can change their eternity as well as their future and the futures of others around them. It's has an even greater effect on the world.
Yesterday I attended a VOA (Volunteers of America) luncheon. It was a great time to hear how they are helping people in our community with a safe place to live (they run the community shelter as well as the women's safe house), food, education, job help, clothing and more. What a blessing it is to have that available in our community. They had a couple people share unbelievable testimonies of how the VOA has changed their lives. It was wonderful to be a part of. One woman shared how she had been abused for 20 years by her husband. She finally had the courage to leave, divorce him, and move into a house away from him. She had a male roommate who helped her pay bills. He raped her and as a result she is pregnant. This woman has a 20 year old son and a 12 year old daughter. She decided to keep the baby and views them as a gift from God. What courage this woman displays! She found the safe house and has been helped to get her life together. She is even considering going back to school. I was blown away by her testimony. A man also spoke about his struggle with an alcohol addiction and feeling helpless to change. He and his pregnant girlfriend found the shelter and have found jobs and stability and he proposed right there at the luncheon! So sweet!
I was also reminded, though, that the church should have a bigger part (or even the biggest!) in helping people in need. I'm not saying we start our own shelter, there's no need to reinvent something that is being done well, but we, as the church, can volunteer with the VOA or other organizations and not only help to meet people's needs but we can bring the love of Christ to brokenness. It's our purpose. To be the hands and feet of Christ. Veterans, abused women and children, homeless, alcoholics, drug addicts, families who are one paycheck from living on the streets, folks who are struggling to find work, single moms, single dads...the list can go on and on.
I think the church is being called to the carpet. For too long we have relied on the government to meet the needs of these people (and us!). We have given up our responsibility to share ourselves, our time, our resources, our Christ. And because of that our country relies fully on our government to meet our needs. And because of that our country is divided on how that should be done. We need to take responsibility for our inaction and we need to change. The moral decline in our country isn't due to more bad things happening, I think it has a lot to do with Christians who are either silent or have spoken loudly out of judgement and condemnation. I still love Christians! I just think the enemy has us focused on "issues" instead of on showing the love of Christ. Many of us get caught up on our "cause" rather than living out our purpose. And our purpose is to love God and love others. If we keep it simple it will be simple!
Change in our country starts with each of us. Giving of our time, our talents, our resources and most importantly our faith. Something to consider.
