People sitting in their cars, on the lawn, on blankets and all around as bursts of color explode in the sky. People cheer and celebrate America's greatest day in history. Independence day: the day we are all celebrating this week. We will go to family reunions, parks, have family picnics and watch at least half a dozen fireworks shows within the next week.
We will get to see Uncle Fabio, whom we havent seen in years, and obviously hes been to too many picnics within the last year. Or our cousins who we were besties with when we were little, and then life got in the way and we havent seen them in forever either. Its a wonderful time of year! Full of people who love each other, coming together and enjoying the sacrifice of so many great soldiers and the friendships of our family members and close friends. Its probably one of my favorite times of the year, for sure!
And its a wonderful blessing to have independence! Its a blessing most of the rest of the world doesnt have. So its important to see that blessing and thank God for it. Get on our hands and knees and cry and thank and thank Him for it.
But with that independence comes a great responsibility. Just like I said the rest of the world doesnt have it, that means they are dependant. Dependant on others to give them what they dont have. And let me tell you, the rest of the world doesnt have nearly as much as we have here in the States. One thing I have seen since being back is that convenience has blinded peoples need for God in their daily lives. People in the states dont need God. They have everything they need around every corner. And its nice, but it takes away our daily views of God, and thats a dangerous, devestating place to be.
We have that convenience and its a blessing God has given us to give to the rest of the world. We are to take care of those who cant take care of themselves. Its our duty, and should be our joy, as Christians. But most of the time its not. Its been eye opening and heart breaking seeing how people who arent American's are treated in America.
Just the other day, I saw a Koren family walking around the park. A Koren family is a family from Burma, where the 60 year genocide has gone on and continues to happen under our noses. God only knows all they went through before they got here. And to hear some of the comments about about them taking what isnt theirs or being in "our country" breaks my heart. And living in a place where a lot of people from Mexico live, their is a lot of talk about them being here illegally, or taking jobs Americans could have had. And its sad to hear people, yes, even people inside the church, talk badly about them. And to be honest, who cares about politics or whether they are here illegally or not? If you arent a police officer or someone who enforces the law on them being here, its not your duty to complain about their status. Its your duty first and foremost, as a Christian, to love them as you love yourself. Nothing else. That doesnt mean you have to help them sneak across the border. You dont have to support their habits, but you can still love them. Treat them like they are created in the image of God!
These people are obviously here because where they came from sucks. And to have a country that is supposed to be "Christian" treat them a lot like they were treated before they got here seems hypocritical and very non-Christian. These people often times are dependent on our freedom and the fortunes we have here to make their lives better. And most of the time that doesnt happen.
But I'll get off that tangent. We are blessed here in this country. We are given so much freedom and so much beauty, and wealth beyond anyones wildest dreams. And because of that, we are given a huge responsibility: to give it away as we have been given it. To look at the needs of the world and to help in places we can. And I know people want to help. I dont think they hate helping. We just dont know the needs. We need to be looking for the needs and finding out ways to help. Look beyond problems and see the faces behind whats happening. As a great basketball coach once made me say before every practice, "To whom much is given, of him is much required."
I dont mean to sound harsh here, but my heart hurts since being back. We need more love in a country where God has blessed us beyond belief, yet we let those blessing blind our vision of Him. A country full of love is better than a country full of money. I hope we begin to see that and take hold of it! Thank God for the blessing of this 4th of July season, and use it to see those around you who are dependant on your love. They need it. You need it.
