Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful - Colossians 3:12-15
Ten days ago, i returned to the United States, after spending 10 days in El Salvador and Guatemala. I'm frustrated that i've allowed a busy lifestyle to keep me from seriously reflecting about all the Lord revealed on this trip. Or perhaps in this reflecting of the trip, He's seriously continued to teach me just how much need there is - for Him, in any and all that we do.
Upon first arriving in Guatemala and El Salvador, my 'American', white, middle class perspective instantly detected how much need exists in the two countries. Homes are made of cement, concrete, tin, whatever is available; yards fenced in with jagged sticks and scraps. The bright paint on the majority of homes has become dull - worn, chipped, corroded, unkept. Some of the dirt roads are more like rocky, muddy and uneven terrain, simply used as a road because they've been worn down and used so much. There are stray dogs everywhere, mangy and emaciated - a look of hunger and closeness to death gleaming in their eyes. The plumbing systems are unable to break down toilet paper, bridges aren't exactly the safest, drinking the water is NOT recommended, Burger Kings and McDonalds are patrolled by armed security guards. Clearly, there is need. There is need.
As i stared out the window of the van, heading to El Salvador, God truly revealed something to me. I watched the torrential downpour turn roads into sloppy messes. Safe and dry in the van, we passed families forced to evacuate their houses, as they started to flood. I kept thinking - there is NEED. THERE IS NEED. So much need here. It disgusted me. I become outraged as i began to pray and ask God how it could be so. Why am i so blessed to live in the safety and security of the United States, comfortably in a middle class family?! How unfair. I have too many clothes to count, i am educated, i have a car. I have everything i need and then some. And yet, here in the United States, there is still need. Our society is selfish and highly individualized. Money = success. We do not allow ourselves to be seen as weak or to admit our faults and failures, strength is coveted. We wear masks to conceal our biggest pains, fears, hurts and true state of being. We buy more than we can afford. We are highly consumed and caught up in commercialism. This is our need.
And while the need in El Salvador and Guatemala is more apparent in different ways, especially with the mentality and mindset of a United States citizen, God revealed to me that there is need everywhere. This is the condition of this fallen world. But in our need - whether it's poverty that grips us, addictions, obsessions, hurts, scars, wounds, pain, etc. - we realize our need for something MORE. Something NOT of this world. Someone bigger than ourselves, bigger than the pains and poverty. We need Jesus. Whether we live in Guatemala, El Salvador, Africa, the US, or any other nation, we need Jesus. Once we admit that we are absolutely nothing, that we are completely depraved without Him, can He truly meet our needs. In reaching out to our brothers and sisters in poverty and different parts of the world, may the Lord soften our hearts as well, and identify our own need for and necessary reliance on Him. May we reach out to those in poverty - not because we are better or greater, but because we have been blessed immensely and are called to share the wealth and resources.
There is need. There always will be, until Jesus comes back. May the Lord reveal our own need for Him. May we respond to His calling and humble ourselves before Him. May the needs of this world not hinder us, cripple us or bring us to an apathetic state, but open our eyes and RESPOND. Bring revival, God. Bring a further reliance on YOU.
Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest i be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" Proverbs 30:8 My prayer is that the Lord changes my heart, to truly be more than satisfied with not being rich and not being poor. I want to be at a place where i rely on Him always, where i recognize my need for Him in any state of life.
"I see the cloud i stand in,
i want to see your glory as Moses did.
Flashes of light, rolls of thunder,
i'm not afraid. i'm not afraid.
Show me Your glory, show me Your glory.
I'm awed by Your beauty,
lost in Your eyes,
I want to walk in Your glory like Jesus did.
Your glory surrounds me,
i'm overwhelmed"
-Jesus Culture
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