“Why have you given me so much, but them so little?”
This question continues to make an appearance in my heart.
It comes from a place of sorrow and genuine wonder. The Father could have given a life of poverty and physical/emotional nothingness to me. But, like the majority of you, I don’t have that kind of life. I don’t wake up and wonder if I will get to eat. Or wonder if I’ll have a place to sleep. I’m not an orphan. I’m not enslaved in human trafficking. But there are millions of people around the world that DO wonder these things. For example,
- There are 20 million orphans in India that have never known agape love.
- In Asia-Pacific countries the estimate number of those enslaved in forced labor is as high as 11.7 million. This number includes human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation.
- The life expectancy average for natives of Swaziland is as low as 57 years.
- Many people living in rural areas of Guatemala work as farmers-earning only $4.00 per day (sometimes even less than that).
- Only 75% of Guatemalan’s over the age of 15 are literate.
This soul-shattering list goes on.
-Side note: please don’t ever let these real tangible statistics become simply numbers to you. Because we don’t see their pain with our own eyes, this can be very easily done. Remember they are living, breathing humans-just like you and I.
In comparison to those people-it seems like I have everything and more. I did nothing to earn the life that I do. I had no control over being a white American living a life that is very privileged. And while I am SO immensely blessed and SO VERY thankful for the life I get to live-my heart breaks for those who are suffering and living in extreme poverty.
How can we possibly wrap our heads around this mass amount of oppression and hardship? I’m not sure we, as humans, are able to make sense of suffering. God sees the greater picture. He sees the ETERNAL picture. As mere mortals, it is impossible to see what He sees. This world is temporary. Suffering (for His children) is so temporary. And while, it is incredibly hard to know that so many people are living in poverty, darkness, and oppression. There is so much hope in knowing that we can use our blessings and resources to share the love of Jesus with them. And bring them out of suffering and into life. That is what the Father calls us to! To use the things that He has so graciously given to us (our hearts, lives, talents, education, finances, resources, etc.) to reach the lost and introduce His never ending love to them! Matthew 25:31-40 teaches us that! It reads:
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
It might be hard to remember that God is loving in the face of suffering within this world. But the truth is God is like our father, He IS our Father. Psalm 103 is such a beautiful reminder of the kind of God we serve. Nothing can make Him unloving. He loves us even though we don’t deserve it. He is tender and compassionate. Slow to anger and filled with a love that will never ever fail us. He comes into this world over and over. There is nowhere we will go that He hasn’t been. He walks before us. The suffering He endured on the cross is unlike anything we will ever know. There is nothing more gut-wrenching than being crucified because your love for the people you’re dying for is so great; all while knowing they will never be able to return that. You and I are called to share this love with “the least of these”. In doing that we are ultimately serving Him and being obedient to His word. So, yes. It is a hard pill to swallow: knowing that there will always be poverty, oppression, and hurting people on earth. But that doesn’t mean that we stop raising our voices and pointing people toward Yahweh. The only one who can give an eternal life free of suffering.
I understand that not everyone has the opportunity that I have to physically go into the world and share the Gospel. Most people are unable to drop everything and spend months as a missionary in foreign countries. Which is understandable. People have lives and are tied down with other responsibilities, not everyone is called to live out of a backpack for 9 months and teach English to orphans. But everyone can afford to skip the $20 spent every week on coffee or Chick-fil-A and instead use that cash to help send those who are called. Through your giving you’re in a way walking onto the mission field yourself.
The need for missionaries right inside the U.S is great too! You can live your life “missionally” right where God has placed you. People here need Jesus just as much as the people in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Jesus is always giving opportunities to us to shine His light into the lives of those hurting around us.
I can’t wait to share how God will be working and moving in Swaziland, Nepal, India, and Guatemala with y’all!!! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot an email my way at: [email protected]
Fundraising 🙂
God is so good. I am nearly a third of the way funded!!! $5,000/$15,800! Only $10,800 to go! Through fundraising, the Father has been growing my faith so much! Often times when I’m feeling discouraged He comes through in the most creative ways-forever leaving me awestruck. My heart is so thankful and humbled. If you’re reading this and feel like the Lord put it on your heart to help financially send me to the nations-click the “donate” button at the top of the page. All donations are tax deductible!
Prayer requests 🙂
Please keep my team and I in your prayers! As we prepare our hearts for the journey ahead and continue fundraising!
It has been such a privilege to get to know the 50 or so people I will get to do life with for 9 months. They all have hearts of gold and I am so thankful the Lord placed them into my life during this season of preparation!
so much love,
Madeline
