I've been struggling a lot lately with the gravity of what God has revealed to me about orphans and the Church's role in orphan care. And frankly, it's messing me up inside...in a good way, I think. The problem with having these big things revealed though, is that nothing in my world looks the same. Almost like sorting through the rubble left after an earthquake, I'm trying to pick up the pieces of my life and beliefs and decide if it is worth placing in the same spot on the shelf or toss it in the trash.
Most of the time, I find that God is replacing these things with something new. Something better. Him. His desire for my life.
But, when I look at Facebook, I'm often faced with the "state of our hearts." It's no surprise, we're sinful people...therefore we make Facebook a sin-filled place. And when I say we...I really mean me. 'Cause nobody likes to look in the mirror and realize you're no better than anyone else. Truthfully, it is easier for me to see the things that need to be fixed in others than to take a good hard look at myself.
I've found myself reading status update after status update that leave me infuriated and mourning the conditions of our hearts. Because to me, it seems we care more about things than people. It's everywhere I look.
New furniture!
Bigger houses!
Fancy gadgets!
New cars with every bell and whistle available!
Extravagant vacations!
And don't forget the new wardrobe for the vacation!
Some days I can't stand it. I want to shout from the rooftop "Life is not about YOU or ME and how much STUFF we can get!" But I don't, because who tells their friends how many children they could sponsor instead of their latest purchase on Facebook?
Instead, we willingly cut off our cable. We choose not to have the latest i-gadget, nor do we have any intention of getting one--no matter how cool we think they are. We limit our eating out with everyone after church on Sunday. We use coupons for everything. We rarely shop for clothing.
And just because I do these things, doesn't mean I think gadgets and cable are bad. No, I totally like these things....alot...maybe a little too much. It also has nothing to do with being self-righteous. The fact of the matter is that they don't further us toward our adoption funding goal, so we cut them out. Because to us, playing with apps and fancy gadgets pales in comparison to hearing extra giggles in our home.
But I can't help but wonder...Why do we sit next to each other in Sunday School talking about Acts and the Early Church, but it doesn't seem to really make a difference in our everyday lives? We come to church, say the right things, and leave unchanged. Why? Why do we quickly pass over Acts 4:32-35 and how the Early Church "gave to one another freely so that none had need", but yet we can't spare pocket change for poverty or orphan care when faced with it later that day?
Are we really content to ignore?
Why is it ok with us that there are over 163 MILLION orphans? (Just so you know, that number is 19 times the population of New York City.)
Because...it isn't ok with me.
I've posted this video before, but maybe you chose not to watch it then. I hope you can spare 8 minutes today.
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Susan {Lilbear}
Thursday 17th of March 2011
Way to be brave, Sara! This so needed to be said. Since my eyes were opened and my heart was turned to kids through Compassion Int., I see everything differently. I get real ticked when people don't get it...until I remember that I had scales on my eyes, too. Thanks for your heart!
Susan {Lilbear}
Bobbie
Tuesday 15th of March 2011
I've always knew that I would (and will) adopt one day. It is hard to live in this world and not try to keep up with the joneses. I think the thing I have learned the most lately is that God gives me everything I need. Therefore the fancy clothes I drool over, I don't need them.. I have what I need, given by God. The new van that doesn't have chocolate milk stains bigger than the actual van itself? I don't need it, I have what God has provided and it is more than enough. Right now we are saving for a new house because ours is tiny and our neighborhood is bad. But when we're in a safer and bigger place, we'll bring our fourth child home.. not from the hospital but we've never brought a baby home from the hospital anyway (homebirthers) We'll bring them to our family because God gives us what we need. They need a family and I need another child to love and fill me with joy. Thanks for sharing your heart. I know that can be extremely hard.
Mrs. John Jennings
Sunday 13th of March 2011
It is my prayer that you continue to reflect on such issues. We are a nation that other Christians overseas say we are 30 miles wide and half inch deep. Far too often shallow faith exist instead of contrite hearts willing to say, not my will but God’s will be done. The Christian walk is about being living sacrifices, dieing to self not gratifying it or esteeming it. How are we to esteem something we are to die to. We are not to live in poverty but not in excessiveness either. There is a big desire for the “Amish” life and way because of its simplicity. However, their lives are based in contrition. One does not have to leave behind the modern conveniences to accomplish simplicity. My husband and I grew up poor and we are still poor by some standards. Old fashion resourcefulness is now the new “recycle, reuse and reduce”. Simplicity is merely learning contrition, denying self and seeking the will of our Father in heaven in such a way as to continue being humbled by the Word of God even with great revelations. Most of the time we never buy new if we can find an older model and fix it up, because a lot of folks throw things out that still have a lot of use left in them. And we often do not have the funds to buy new. The issues are that due to the preaching of prosperity the benevolent work of God is left up to the government. This is growing government’s need for more programs and more money to run them, so taxation is increasing. This is what put an end to many societies in the past and Christendom has learned nothing from studying history. My people parish for the lack of knowledge, this is the fear of the Lord first and foremost. Got to run duties call. Mrs. J.