Some time ago we came to the conclusion that the "American Dream" is lie. We want to live above having nice things, a big house, new car, etc. We want to live through experiences and not be owned by our possessions. I don't want to go to work daily simply because I have a mortgage and car payment. I want to go to work because I like what I do and I can help people. As a adolescent and young adult, I was encouraged to do well in school, go to college, get a well paying job, buy a nice house, have a new car...etc. All of these things exhibit success, but only by the world's standards.
So last week Trevor and I had a conversation about how we came out of this mentality. Best answer...Jesus. I don't feel my convictions would allow me to return to that way of thinking.
"Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12
I now know too much and I can't look back. I can't not do something.
Sometimes people tell us how great they think we are for doing this. I am usually cringing on the inside trying to figure out the best way to dash this "compliment" without making the person feel bad. We aren't great. We aren't special. We are simply responding...
Responding to a situation that has been thrust in front of our faces. It would be easy just to say how sad this is and move on living our daily lives in blessed ignorance. Oh how part of me wishes I could go back to those days of unknowing, not feeling, not obsessing. It was soooo much easier. There was no inner conflict when I spent money on frivolous things. Don't get me wrong, we are not the most perfect stewards by any means. One of the most important things we want to teach our boys about is where their true rewards and treasures lie. But also about being obedient and stepping out in faith and willing to live what we call "uncomfortable" for the sake of being part of something bigger than ourselves. The reason I say "uncomfortable" is because Trevor and I have no idea...absolutely none. And...guess what...neither do you if you are reading this post on any sort of electronic device. We are in the elite class prosperity wise. You may think your aren't rich but when you consider that most Haitians live on $480/year...seriously...I spend more than that on food...in one month. And I still have a pantry and 2 refrigerators full, you know...first world problems.
There is a deep rumbling in my soul that refuses to allow me comfort. This can't possibly sit well with God. And on the day that I meet Him face to face and he asks me "So all that information you obtained, all those statistics you read, everything you learned about orphans and world poverty...what did you do with that, how did you respond". If the only answer I had was to look down at the ground and regretfully mumble "I didn't, I didn't respond". Well, that would be a travesty.
This is a great message by Eric Ludy about "depraved indifference". You know that nagging feeling, that thing you can't stop thinking about...don't look away, don't close your eyes and pretend that you didn't know. Maybe all it takes is for you to simply...respond.
