Thursday, July 22, 2010

“It’s easy to complain in America”

Savannah and I went to Kids Camp last weekend. What a wild, great and fun time. I left with a lot to process and think about – God has a way of speaking to us even while amongst the kid centered activities. The theme verse was Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Each day focused on a different part of the last statement – act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. The main speaker and our leader both did an outstanding job of making this real and applicable to our lives. The worship songs were also good – my favorite one being this one:

However, after the weekend, I am left struggling with the concept of being “of the world but not of it”. I have difficulty when the kids scream louder at the mention of Jus tin Bie ber or their favorite Alabama or Auburn football team than they would or do for Jesus Christ. Where is that line of being part of the world in order to show them the love of Christ … and looking so much like the world that we just blend in?

On Saturday evening (and an optional session on Sunday), we had the opportunity to listen to Brooke’s testimony. Brooke is a Compassion International sponsored child, now in his senior year in college in Kenya studying social work. His passion is to start an orphanage in Kenya to help those who have no hope. What an amazing testimony. He shared what life would be like in Kenya living in poverty. Both of his parents are gone. All of his childhood friends are gone. A typical home is a 10x10 shanty that will hold from 4-6 people. IF they have any food, it is only one meal per day of vegetables and a maize flour mixture called ugali. He said that Africans are praying people – they pray night and day because they are totally and utterly dependant upon God. They pray and give thanks for a meal that isn’t even in front of them yet!! He didn’t have a pair of shoes until he was 9. On Sunday, he was wearing flip-flop style shoes made out of motorbike tires!!

The most profound thing that I took away from his talk was his comment about how easy it is to complain in America. We have SO much and we are SO comfortable and SO blessed, and yet we find things to complain about! He said that in Africa, they don’t complain – they are so thankful when they do receive a meal. Amazing!

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Phillipans 2:14-16 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

5 comments:

  1. Oh Shirley this is soooo true. This needs to be preached and preached and preached.....but sadly it seldom is.

    I was just reading a blog earlier today where the woman (a professing Christian) was talking about how she was always complaining and never happy and had been like that from a small infant (according to her parents). I must tell you I "wondered" all the way through the read.

    We are soooo like the world. ALL of us. I have 4 fingers pointing back at me as I point one at anyone else:o(

    God help us.

    I'm being very real with this comment. Hope I haven't turned into a rant!!!

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  2. Your post was so loaded, I almost couldn't read the whole thing in one sitting. It's something you need to "chew on" and absorb.

    I'm reading the book "Thrilled to Death" by Dr. Archibald Hart. It's about Anhedonia, losing pleasure in the little things and sometimes in everything! We get so used to being entertained and having so much that we don't appreciate it, don't find pleasure in it anymore and it ups the ante to what will give us pleasure.

    Anyway, that guys testimony is really amazing and I'm glad you shared it with us.

    I know what you're saying about the kids, too. I think we all tend to be like that, don't we? At some point or other. We spend more time on this world than preparing for the next. We'll pick up a book, rather than the Bible.

    Good post. Good reminder.

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  3. I'm going to steal part of this blog :)I didn't get a picture of him!

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  4. Oh, man. This is convicting. And so true.
    I was just wondering how we're going to "make it" with my husband's income being so unstable. And yet I have a comfortable home, two vehicles, and enough food in my house to last for weeks, if need be. We get used to being spoiled rotten, and forget that we're in one of the richest, safest nations in the world.
    Thank you for the reminder. There are people who are REALLY in need. And that is what I need to remember and do something about.

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  5. So true that Americans can be soooo ungrateful. We live in such an instant - want it now - don't want to wait - society. It's so easy to take for granted the simple things.

    I have become more grateful for things over the past couple years and REALLY appreciate what we have. Yes, it would be great to have a house, a newer car, etc. but I SO love not having to work and living comfortably. :)

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