Last month my team spent quite a bit of time in Boquette, Panama.This beautiful mountain city is a popular destination for gringos (foreigners) from far and wide. The humidity is far more bearable than other places of Panama and the rolling hills offer breathtaking vistas and mountain adventures.
This month my team has been traveling Panama searching for potential organizations to partner with the World race. In boquette my team had the opportunity to be blessed with meeting “Panama for Christ” an amazing organization that primarily serves the Ngobe people. The organization provides life changing medical assistance such as eye exams and surgery for no charge.
Alan, a doctor/ engineer/ master of everything that is missions work gave my team a car tour around boquette.
Seeing the numerous greenhouses and lush farmland Alan mentioned how this area grows produce that is sent all over the country. In my head, I asked myself do I know where my tomatoes come from? Better yet, do I care about the lives of the people who give me the produce I so very cherish?
In today’s world people are often quick to claim independence. In my opinion, people base this off of the thought that money buys ones wants and needs. If the basis of independence is being self reliant I ask you all how many of us grow or raise all that we eat? How many of us make our own clothing? How many of us have careers or opportunities now without any help of family?
We are all dependent not only on the production of goods by others for our consumption but for literally almost every aspect of our daily life. I did not invent the iPhone, the toilet, the refrigerator, or the car yet we as an ignorant people often walk around as if our money and resources translate into an achieved independence.
I often ask myself if the zombie apocalypse happened today how long would I last? I have very little experience the finer aspects of agriculture and hunting? Heck, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a
I believe social and relational decay between families, business, friendships, and even churches is due in part to people’s over inflated sense of independence. If the world doesn’t make you feel good about yourself you can work hard, get a good job and buy everything you may want and need. Centuries ago if you wanted to eat, you had a garden or you hunted. There was no walmart, no grocery stores, only what you or your more immediate community produced. As intimacy diminishes between the producer and the consumer so does the love.
As agri-business booms and conglomerates emerge I am not suggesting some sort of revolution. I support the resurgence of organic farming, farmers markets and the like. Although the debate on the societal unrest is one that will never end I do not wish to push the discussion further. I only ask that if you can recognize that you are far better off because of the sweat of the Laborers who serve you then show some appreciation. Fight the urge us Americans so often have to become prideful and boast of our relative financial successes. My challenge is to remind yourself daily that WE ARE ALL DEPENDENT on the ONE TRUE GOD.
His mercy cannot be bought, nor can eternal salvation be invested in like a 401k.
Contrary to popular belief your money isn’t a tool to provide the maximum amount of return to you and your family. Your money is a tool (not solely a reward) to be a blessing to those who have made your life possible. To those who produce what you cannot so that you may go about your day and fulfill your dreams.
We are all one living, breathing, consuming organism but what we produce will be a result of our commitment to love not our expression of selfish wants.
At best an individuals thoughts and desires for ones life are beneficial only to ones self. God doesn’t support the American Dream his command is to follow his example to the world Jesus Christ. A man who spent his time fulfilling his fathers business. So we can strive to be self sustaining consumers of the world around us. Or we can wake up and realize the family business isn’t complete without all of us. It needs accountants, lawyers, doctors, fraternity presidents, and janitors.
When we think in terms of we and not of me mountains are moved, cities are healed, and hearts are restored.
When we realize that the only source of fulfillment and commonality is God, then and only then can we truly be satisfied.
Heaven doesn’t accept visa, mastercard, or american express, but where you are in life right now might be exactly where God is calling you to sow into his kingdom. His kingdom ON EARTH, as it is in Heaven..
