Since I was a child, I was motivated to care for the marginalized I personally encountered. I did not think beyond the community in which I lived, but within that community were outcasts and lonely children whom I found myself drawn to. Other children would ask me why I would associate with those I called my friends. I was told they smelled and looked
funny. They ate funny food and dressed oddly. I noticed the differences, but only loved them. I wanted them to know they were loved, accepted and had dignity just as they were. This pattern of empathy, I can only estimate, was by the grace of God alone and the Spirit working within me. I distinctly recall having several conversations with my older brother regarding the radical nature and love of Jesus Christ. He told me of this Jesus who loved beyond reason those who were considered the lowliest of peoples. He explained the nature of tax collectors in Christ’s time and the radical love Christ showed to Zacceaus and Levi. He told me stories of women who were adulteresses and prostitutes and outcasts taken under the powerfully forgiving and loving arms of Christ. He was the first to tell me the uncensored Gospel of the most loving Christ. This kind of love was exciting and revolutionary. I wanted to know this love and be this kind of love to the world.
As I grew, my knowledge of the world increased. The church I grew up in is a distinctly global mission focused church. I was raised in an environment that caused me to think globally, even if only in church. As an seven-year-old, my dream was to be a missionary. This was only solidified in the following year or two as I found myself at an alter alongside three middle-aged men, committing my life to mission. I did not understand why I was so compelled to do so at the time, but it was abundantly clear that something within me pulled my spirit to this commitment.
I have been given several opportunities to participate in mission throughout the world since I was twelve years old. I found myself incredibly dissatisfied with the nature of mission that spoke of Christ, but did not live out compassion and justice. I participated in a mission’s trip of this nature, and somehow I knew the Gospel was about so much more than explaining the nature of heaven and hell. I found myself disinterested with mission at this point since it seemed too temporal and dissatisfying as it missed the opportunity to meet physical needs we could provide for and discipleship 
new converts require. Though I was dissatisfied with mission as I experienced it, my heart for the poor, marginalized and forgotten people of the world seemed to only increase with each passing day as I saw them spread from my personal community into the cities of the United States.
My years in high school only caused a greater stirring in my soul for justice to come to the poor. I wanted nothing more than to demonstrate to the forgotten peoples of the world that they are known to God and loved by Him. As I read Scripture more, I found my heart stirring in a restless frustration. I found Jesus to be this radical lover, and I did not see the church living in reflection of Him. I started attending a church that shared the same frustrations I had, but used that as a motivator to actually do something for the community and the world. I heard Shane Claiborne speak several times at this church, and each time my heart would stir with the thought of living a life that actually followed what Jesus called us into.
I entered college with a deep confusion as to which major to declare. I changed my mind seven times, but each change had one common theme. I wanted to help the forgotten people of the world, but I did not know how to accomplish this. I finally settled on a double major in Biblical Studies and Psychology. Psychology seemed to be degree to enter if one desired to help people. Biblical Studies I procured since I wanted to know what Scripture said about following Christ. I did not want someone to tell me what Christ called us into. I wanted to know for myself.
I have wrestled with and agonized over passages in Scripture and books I have read for the past three years. I found that the Old Testament called individuals and communities to act out justice for the poor (e.g. Exo
dus 23:6; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 21:13; Proverbs 31:9; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:10). Harsh warnings were given to those who oppress the poor (Isaiah 10:1-3; Jeremiah 5:28-9; Amos 15:12 to name a few). The greatest sin of Sodom and Gomorrah that led to its destruction was even referred to as failure to care for the poor (Ezekiel 16:49).
I found a notable connection between righteousness and justice. They seemed to be inseparable. Proverbs 29:7 put it plainly, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” (NIV). This theme is carried out through the New Testament. The Greek word dikaiosune (dik-ay-oh-soon-ay) is used in the New Testament to describe righteousness, but is also by definition referring to justice. It seems these words were inseparable even in definition. Thus, we see Christ in the Sermon on the Mount declare that “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [dikaiosune],” or justice (Matthew 5:6 NIV). What an enormous challenge.
The question that resounds in my heart, then, is the definition of justice. I have never heard a more simplified but beautiful definition than that of Jeremy Del Rio who said that deep justice is “righting wrongs.” I have seen wrong plastered all over this world. I read of children as soldiers, people sold as slaves, and perpetuated poverty and oppression with little assistance from wealthy nations and churches. I have talked with the homeless who sleep on streets and have no address for a resume to acquire an occupation. I have held a woman’s hand as she suffered in agonizing pain as AIDS deteriorated her body. I have played with children who will have nowhere to sleep tonight or anyone to care for them. I have sat with the homeless man who remains on the streets because he’s has no address for a job application and is too old for manual labor. I have seen more “wrongs” in the world than I would care to, but seeing them only causes my heart to scream in agony for justice. There is no deeper cry in my heart than to see the wrongs of the world reversed.
In order to become a participant, I sought out a means. I spent a great deal of time attempting to understand the role I have been placed in as a privileged individual. I have been born into a family that could provide for my every need, I 
have known Christ my entire life, I have been educated and have the ability to succeed in scholarly activity, and I have a voice that can be heard and make a difference in the world. God conferred these things to me and I am responsible for the proper use of them (See the parable of the talents Matthew 25:14-30).
Through reading several books and a careful study of money in the Gospels for my thesis in my capstone Biblical studies course, I have come to understand justice in a more specific light. This has assisted me in deciphering my place in this world. The first book I read to change everything about the way I think and live was Shane Claiborne’s book The Irresistible Revolution. I then read Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (Ron Sider), which challenged me with statistics and a desire to serve the poor in a practical way. One of the most helpful books I have read in reference to Biblical explanation of money in Scripture came from Neither Poverty nor Riches by Craig Blomberg. There are several other books I have read which contributed to my desire to care for the poor and seek justice in this world that are not mentioned here. I was moved deeply by this study and will never be the same as a result. (I am more than willing to send you this paper, just ask.)
After completing this paper I found myself not with an option, but a command, and a stiff one at that. If I want to call myself a Christian I do not have the choice whether or not to use all my means to seek dikaiosune- justice/ righteousness. This is who my God is. He speaks for the poor and saves the oppressed. He fathers the orphaned and sets captives free. These are not simply metaphors. These are actual actions of God still being completed today.
Christians are characterized by this verse from Paul’s letter to the church in Colossi, “for you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). If we are “hidden with Christ in God,” we must be about His work of righteousness. Our lives hidden in Him will live out these sort of actions. This takes all sorts of different means for all people. God has made us different, and as we are in His image, each of us reflects a different aspect of His greatness.
For me, it has become clear through my studies, experience, passions and longings placed in my heart by the Holy Spirit that I am called to care for the poor. Since I was a child, God has called me to care for forgotten peoples. This longing only seems to grow with each passing day.
I cannot accomplish this on my own accord. God has shown me that I can do something, though. Martin Luther says, “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” I believe this is true for actions. Though I cannot effectively end poverty and bring positive change to every injustice in the world, I am responsible to accomplish what God has given me the ability to do. I couldn’t ignore this calling. I can’t ignore this calling.
Thus, my next course of action is going on the World Race. I will seek to learn from natives in how they combat the issues they deal with every day concerning health, poverty, government, spirituality, and culture. I seek to learn since they are experts in their field, the field I would like to join them in.
It is also my distinct intention to bring the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. His passion is not only to meet felt needs, but to meet spiritual needs as well. He alone can fill the void left in the souls of all people. And what good is it to gain the whole world, but lose your soul? Jesus Christ is the good news and hope to the world, and He is the only reason for compassion of any kind.
After this, it is my intention attend graduate school to learn the academic side of development in a third world setting, and Lord willing, I will return again to the field in the future.
This is not something I am doing for the experience. This is not something that sounds simply adventurous and fun for me. This is the next step on a path God has had me on my entire life. And this girl’s gonna take it one step at a time. Won’t you join me in God’s continuing work?
