I commonly post blogs either during or after reading a really good book. This blog is no different.
I just finished the book "Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds" by Tom Davis and although it wasn't exactly what I expected, it was a really great read.
In the book, Tom challenges readers to live out the "red letters" in the New Testament. The red letters are the words Jesus spoke that have been hi-lighted in red throughout the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) His point is to take Jesus seriously and literally when it comes to a call to care for others; He wants to see people get socially active as Jesus instructs. Tom's main point of focus in the book was Africa.
Africa is a continent of lush terrain, beautiful deserts and amazing wildlife. Africa is rich in culture and history, however, Africa is at risk of losing everything. Due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic (which has actually been labeled as a Pandemic; an even larger and more severe problem than an epidemic) Africa is losing a war to an enemy we can help fight. Not only are we called to help as people, but as Christians, followers of Christ, we should be even more eager and more willing to help as we have been instructed by our King.
Matthew 25:35-40: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus tells us in this passage that he is the poor and the needy. When we serve our fellow man, we serve Jesus. Many of us would quickly drop whatever we are doing for an opportunity to physically serve Jesus (wash his feet, give him a drink, etc.) but it can be difficult to find the motivation to do something for someone we feel we don't know that lives half way across the globe.
I don't think that we are called to sell everything we own and give all our money to those in need, but I do feel that we have the ability to do something. Lots of people give and lots of people help in different ways. Not all of us are called to give to the situation in Africa, not all of us are called to physically serve over seas. But we are called as Christians to take care of those and fight for those who don't have the ability to fight for themselves.
This fight doesn't have to involve packing up and flying to Africa tonight (but as Tom Davis said, if that's what God calls you to then go for it!) It doesn't even have to mean a financial donation; it could simply mean starting with prayer. It might mean that next time you go to buy an iPod or Starbucks gift card, you purchase a (RED) sponsored product which sends a portion of the money spent towards HIV/AIDS relief. The main point here is not to do something outside your capability, but to simply do something. It's time to get off the sidelines and play.
I know salvation is not based on works or actions, but in the end, I still don't want to have to account for the loss of human life because I was selfish or greedy with my time and money.
This blog isn't intended to be some "Peace and Love, save the planet" type of soap box declaration. But I just wanted to take some time to share where I'm at what I've been reading. Ultimately it's got to be a decision from within to get active and help in some way. I'm currently not even sure in what manner my family or myself will get involved; I'm currently waiting and praying to see what that looks like, but, if you decide you have some interest and want to look into what can be done, I've listed some sites where you can start to get active.
