This Means Life…

What does this mean to you? Old… Stale… Moldy…

For about 925 million people of the 6.8 billion that occupy this planet, this means life.

If you woke up healthy today you are luckier then 1 million people who will pass away this week. If you wake up to a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food in your belly, then you are more blessed then 75% of the world. If you are reading this message right now you are more privileged then 3 billion people who can’t.

As Americans it is so easy to take everything we have for granted. Most of us do not know what it is like to go hungry. Most of us do not not know how it feels to freeze overnight with no shelter. Most of us do not know what it is like to come down with even the common cold and not be able to get better because of malnutrition. For those of us Americans who do know how this feels we have put ourselves in that position by choice.

America is the land of opportunity. We are constantly handed things on silver platters and still think we have it bad. We do not realize that there is a very large world around us that suffers everyday. Not every homeless man has the choice to catch a bus and stay in a shelter. Not every child can go to a food bank and get a meal.

In other countries they are not given these alternatives. They must survive on the hope that things may be different some day. Sadly the hope that the life they live may not be very much longer…

What does this mean to you? Hope… Forgiveness… Resurrection..

For many this means life- Eternal life. A life that is never ending and to the fullest. It does not bring bread to the table but it brings hard working men who work for the bread. It does not put a roof over the heads of our families but it is a hedge of protection.

For many this is also a symbol of judgement. Hypocreicy, slander, and hate. This is the symbol of a “religion” that claims a Holy and Forgiving God with people who do not take a second glance at the dirty and the broken.

Instead of being a beakin of light, it is a road block at the end of the tunnel. Instead of being a compass pointing to peace it is a reminder of crime.

Why today do we use this a weapon? Why have we forgotten what took place on a hill just outside of Jerusalem? Is it no longer important? Is it that it no longer applies to us?

Has man sinned so much we have out-grown the capacity? Has man rotted the world down to the feeble core and dug a hole to deep to be filled? Is it that…

“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11 NIV)

We. Are. Saved.

Some live pay check to pay check- they cant afford to give away food. Some are mentally or physically ill and cannot work. But of the 34% (about) of believers, who prays for the weary everyday? Who shares God’s word and speaks with holy lips? Sixty-six percent of this world is spiritually famished and parched. They long for an answer.

Can you not give it to them?..

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV)

Take up your cross. Stop letting the world perish. Let it be a sign that the Lord our God is with us, wherever we go.

Love always,

Deanna