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I just finished watching Blood
Diamonds…on Christmas night. Not sure how those two events converged, but
I wouldn’t recommend it. Or perhaps I would.
Now I’m thinking. Movies like
that – Human Trafficking, Invisible Children, etc – tend to have that effect on
me. I have questions swirling around in my head. Those movies
really mess you up on the inside. My mind wants to fall into a pattern of
thinking how can there be a good God when this is happening. I know, that
I know, that I know God is a good, good God. So, really I’m just
wondering how I could ever tell a person surrounded by constant war and fear
and death that there is a good God that loves them deeply and cares for them
intimately. They would surely think I was crazy. But still I know
that God is good. And, for me, the fact that He gives us choices and
freedom is not enough to negate His inherent goodness. I won’t let the
evil, that fights against us and attempts to steal our very lives, as evidenced
by events happening all over the world – Africa, Thailand, across town –
dictate God’s attributes. He is always good and He is love.
That is truth. My encounters and experiences in this world will not change
what I know to be true in my spirit. It’s dangerous when we start to let
our experiences tell us who God is or who we are.
So, what do I come up with? Does
it make sense for me to never buy anything again, to boycott $4 lattes, or to
never eat out? Probably not practical and it’s of infinitesimal help to
adopt this poverty mentality. How can I change what is going on in
Africa, a world away from me, as I sit in my warm home typing away on my
laptop? More importantly, should I even try? I am met with an
astounding YES! How? First, I think it starts with being
aware. Awareness is the beginning, but it’s only as good as the action
that it inspires. For me, I choose to change things one person at a time
by supporting stories like this. Second, wherever I am, I believe I am
there for a purpose, so I can start by changing things in my own
community.
The Holy Spirit brought two responses
to the tension of why I have so much, while others are literally living in
war. First, thanksgiving and gratitude are to be my escorts through
life. Second, He gave me Luke 12:48 – “From everyone who has been
given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they
will ask all the more.” In this nation, despite what any economist says, we have been given much.
have been given?
