Jesus Drives Me

Anyone else notice the lack of awareness around here?  You don’t have to be a youth group leader to see the lack of awareness our youth in America have on world oppression, child abandonment, hunger, homelessness and so on. And let’s not kid ourselves, this isn’t just a youth thing either.  There are plenty of adults who are lacking in the awareness arena too.

I literally get a knot in my stomach when I think about that things we take for granted.  Have you ever been in a store and overheard a child or teenager whine to their parents because they wouldn’t buy them the toy they wanted or the shoes that were “cool”?  I certainly have (and I’ve certainly been there!) Have you ever agonized over which brand of stereo system, DVD player, or TV you should buy?

It’s sad to know that…

While I’m scrapping heaps of food off our plates into the trash because we were just “too full” to finish, there is a child out their that knows the little bit of food they are eating now will be their last meal.

While I’m whining over the emails I had to respond to at work, or the dishes I had to wash, or the trip I had to make to the grocery store; there is a mother weak from doing hard labor to earn pennies and still unable to provide daily necessities for her children.

While I’m obsessing over whether or not my child will get into the best school, there are children around the world that have to drop out of school  because they have no means to continue or because they are forced to work or go into prostitution to survive.

While I’m buying shoes in every color (despite having 20 pair in my closet that I’ve barely worn), someone is wondering how they’ll replace the one pair of shoes they’ve just worn out.

I realize that maybe the lack of awareness isn’t the issue here…perhaps its the lack of caring, or initiative to change the circumstances.  It’s a HUGE problem that seems almost impossible to solve.  I imagine that’s how the Israelite’s felt as they ran from Pharaoh only to come face-to-face with a raging sea…or how David felt before he faced Goliath.  It is a huge problem, but nothing is too big for our Lord.  He loves each of us and wants us to take care of those who are unable to take care of themselves.

So ask yourself…

• What can we do to make a difference?  Doesn’t even the smallest impact make a difference in someone’s life?
• How can we better prepare today’s youth to be more aware and active when it comes to the suffering of others?
• What things can my family live without in order to help someone else in need?