The Really Real World

Here's an interesting spin on Romans 6:23a -- want to see the wages of sin? Look at the affluent world around us and then look at the conditions of many hungry and dying children in Africa. Something about this lifestyle and wealth difference is bothering me more and more.

I know in my head it's not going to go away, and I know there are people in need in many other places in many other ways as well. But when someone doesn't have the food and water they need to stay alive, it tears at my heart, especially considering that I spend so much on things that are frivolous by comparison. I pray that my eyes and my heart stay open to the needs of others globally, not just locally. It's so easy to forget about hurting people so far away.

But there's more to the story. I need to do more than just keep my eyes open -- I have two little girls that I'm responsible for, and my most important job is to give them the proper spiritual foundation. Part of that includes opening their eyes as well -- and it became clear to me that I was lacking in this area. Sure, I've taught them that we need to be generous givers, have a heart for God, and have a heart for people. Sure, I've told them about persecuted Christians in other parts of the world. Sure, I've told them about poor conditions elsewhere.

Talk is cheap. It's a lot different to SHOW them.

I played a video showing some hungry kids in Africa for the girls. They asked some questions about the children, and when Trinity grasped the horror of what she was seeing, she cried out "Don't people see this?!" What could I counter with but "Don't WE see it?!" I'm so glad she had compassion for those poor kids, but I also wanted to drive the point home that it's not only about "someone else," but us and how we manage what God has given us.

So Christian, teach your kids the Bible. Teach them to trust God and love him. Teach them proper morals and build up their character. But please, in addition to all that good stuff, to keep them from turning into something totally warped by the materialistic culture in which we live, really get it into their heads what the rest of the world is like. I know I need to get that into my head myself much more than I have it now -- and there's no app for that.

Kids can handle and understand a lot more than we think, and sheltering them in a nice happy suburban bubble really isn't going to help anything.

Grace and peace friends.