In the summer before my freshman year of high school, I traveled with a youth group to a dusty, quiet town about an hour south of the Texas/Mexico border. The streets were dotted with older model cars, most of which were rusted and broken down. Occasionally, I would see a passerby but only briefly, as they would typically duck their head and turn down another street.
The local children slowly opened up to us that week during Vacation Bible School, but I could tell it would take much more than a few days to gain their full trust. I sensed pain in many of them, especially for their age. They had seen multiple church groups over the years come and go. I believe each group made an Eternal difference, as many of the children gave their hearts to Christ, however their immediate circumstances never changed.
Most families were mired in poverty. Many men in town were fathers in title only as alcoholism also ran rampant. At the end of the week, I hugged several of the locals I had befriended, boarded a bus, and drove 12 hours to the comforts of home. Fifteen years later, I can’t recall the name of the village or any of the remarkable people I met that week. Yet every time I reflect back on the trip, that feeling of despair that prevailed throughout town comes back to me as clearly as if it were yesterday. It was completely foreign to me.
Even the most average Americans live in a bubble of comforts and riches that the majority of the world will only dream about. Just the fact that I have never once wondered if I would eat the next day positions me as a Donald Trump to the over 1.4 billion people in the developing world who live below the extreme poverty line ($1.25 per day). And this is just one of many staggering statistics.
Unfortunately, sometimes it does take traveling to a foreign place to bring realization that we are extremely blessed. In a time that unemployment is more and more commonplace, I even find myself less than enthusiastic telling people I sell insurance for a living. That is the type of pride that blinds each of us to the generous portion that the Lord has provided.
On the other side of the coin, it’s almost impossible to turn on the news or pick up a paper without some mention of outrage over what one small group of people in this country has and what one larger group does not. Speaking from personal experience, when a man looks for reasons to be upset with what he does not have, he’ll never have to search long or far. The irony is that as our focus stays on compiling stuff, no amount of it ever satisfies us.
During a time of year that charity and thanksgiving are popular, where will our focus lie when March rolls around? Will it take a mission trip to Mexico or an over-commercialized holiday for us to give thanks or possess goodwill towards men? In July, will I wake up thanking the Lord for the beautiful home He has provided for me, or will I be upset that I can’t afford to take extravagant summer vacations like others I know?
The answer is neither pity on those less fortunate or righteous indignation towards those that have more. God has provided clarity in my life as I’ve begun to loosen the grip on my possessions, which aren’t really mine to begin with. Likewise, I am astounded at the fulfillment He has provided as I take account of all my blessings – the tools that have been commissioned to change the world around me.
{Editor’s Note: The concept of ending poverty in our lifetime sounds a bit…unrealistic. Or, at least it did sound that way until I was introduced to 58: is a Christ-centered global initiative to end extreme poverty. Some of the leading anti-poverty organizations from around the world partner with them. If you are looking for ways to get involved in the fight against extreme global poverty, especially in the area of financial support, check out their “Project Search” feature, choose a project, and partner with them by giving. And this is just one of many ways to take action. There are so many people in need around us, and the local church is another constant resource for year-long ministry to those who are in need. Like Brandon said, may we always strive to use our blessings to change the world around us–not just during the holiday season.}
*Photo credit: Rennet Stowe
