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Haiti is an entire country that is in poverty. They do not have what I have always considered the basics like inside plumbing, running water, electricity, television, grocery stores, beds, roof over their heads, security, or an ability to change any of it. They are an oppressed nation an hour from Miami. The way of life is at a much slower pace. Most of their time is spent in surviving. My prayer was to never loose what I learned from my time in Haiti upon coming home.
1 John 2:15-17 states “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the father but from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Compared to how I used to be or many other people around me, I would have said prior to Haiti that my life was not wrapped up in the world. However, upon reflection I realize that too much of how I have been living is wrapped in being worldly. My outer life should be a reflection of my inward relationship with Christ and what is important to Him.
For me, that means being intentional about not forgetting all I learned in Haiti. It means writing out a plan and reviewing it often so that I can be a better steward of money, time, and truly being a neighbor to the nations and at home. It’s about an increased prayer life while I also make adjustments to diet and exercise. It’s about intentionally pursuing employment that is for God’s glory and purpose he intended for me. It’s about living on less where I can give more. It’s about exploring foster care or getting more involved with the oppressed and forgotten right here and abroad. It’s about pursuing Christ and being a neighbor according to Christ which always requires sacrifice and living intentionally with accountablility built in.
Our pastor challenged us with a statement while in Haiti that asked the question…Did I long for Christ like I longed for what I was missing from home. Sadly, I could not honestly say that I was longing for Christ as much as I was loved ones and comforts of home. That must change in my life.
