AmericaAbroadMediaIn the past year I have found this website and their radio broadcasting to really open my eyes and ears to some of the most crucial, current global issues . In the past 6-12 months when the word "crisis" has come up, my train of thought jumps to the current "economic crisis."
Just wanted to remind you that there are very serious "crisis'" occurring every day all over this world. I hope I am not naive to the fact that many of these issues and conflicts are connected with poorly managed money, economic failures and sinful nature. However it is interesting to see what draws mass media attention and causes an outcry to our nation and individuals.
Living in D.C. for the past three months has also been eye-opening. Everyday there are groups of people, many 'groupies' for that matter I'm sure, but none-the-less large groups assembling to protest or petition against some injustice they feel they have experienced. Sometimes I can't help but stop and listen to what groups truly believe are 'injustices' against them.
Just two weeks ago a group of handicapped individuals literally wheeled their wheelchairs across both Independence Ave and Constitution Ave blocking the busiest intersections outside of our nations capitol. As I was running by the group of people I stopped and talked to one woman who had use of both of her legs, and definitely was not handicapped (though that is debatable-forgive me, that was unkind...) and was shouting loudly protesting against President Obama's lack of support for subsidized handicap housing. wow. She explained to me that her dear friends were unable to find affordable housing for handicapped individuals because the government did not mandate it (or enough of it) in their section 8 housing act. aye aye aye- that just opens an entire can of worms...but what was interesting to me is that this woman had devoted her entire life for the cause of this group. As I walked away from her I not only thought of my first apartment post-college that was extremely handicap accessable (shout out VFJ-I'm smiling...) to the point of inconvenience, but also that this was some cause. Interesting, specific, of great inconvenince for the handicap, and extremely unfortunate.
I have much more to say about that entire shenanigan, however I must stop here.
It just really made me think twice about the way I'm just like that woman. The way I live my life or choose not to live my life shouts loudly to the people around me. As a professing Christian I know what my life ought to be professing loudly Jeremiah 9:24, 1 Corinthians 1:31,
2 Corinthians 1:12, Galatians 2:20 and so forth- but, many times, the actuality of what is professed is another story.
I don't know how to write into words where I am going with this thought process or what I am trying to relay, but all I do know is that I want to live for the cause of Christ. Not because Christ
needs me to advocate his exsistence or Being, but because he calls me to it. He calls us all to do it. To daily be obedient unto him.
Matthew 10:38-39 states "And whoever does not take his cross and folllow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Luke 9:23-25 "And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"
Daily obedience looks different for every human being according to the gifts and talents he has given each one of us. However, if those gifts are not grounded in scripture and have a proper view of Christ and the cross the 'cause' being fought for is in vain. He may well use it under his sovereign rule, but as a believer we miss out on the blessing of obedience. There is great blessing in obedience.
Does this make sense? I think what I'm trying to say is, whether I am working at the bedside as a nurse in the hospital, or overseas advocating on behalf of a sick child, or reading a newspaper, or spending time at the crisis pregnancy center...or wherever and whatever I'm doing, I am ultimately representing Jesus Christ. He desires for ALL to come to know him and trusting in the truth of his word and the facts of the this present world... knowing that perfect justice will one day be achieved or redeemed is a great hope.
I guess I just want to encourage you to continue to fight against injustice but don't lose sight of Perfect Justice. On that note...
"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell
you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim
on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for
a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart
from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge
before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before
men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 10:26-33
