with a purpose

i led my first bible study yesterday in the office. and to top it off, it was in spanish! thank goodness it was a small group (James, Cristian, and Edison) cos i was really nervous about my spanish. i spent the nite before preparing in English, then took a shot at translating it into spanish with Faby... thru that experience, we both learned that i suck at articles. i have no clue when to use la, el, es, ese, este, esto, esta, a, o blah blah. well, i know some because just like french, there's masculine and feminine, but others i just guess.

anyways, we took a look at James 2:14-26 - the chapter about Faith and Deeds. the part that really got to me was the following portion:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

with the recent devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and now Tropical Storm Ophelia in Florida, i've felt helpless and compelled to help. i believe that James (and Jesus often times) use the example of the poor because they are prevalent in every society. From the slums of India, to the dumps in Quito, and the downtown eastside in Vancouver - poverty strikes every culture. thinking about it for too long can make many of us uncomfortable.

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"change the channel, i don't need to see a starving child while im eating my dinner, it makes me feel guilty."

don't make eye contact, i don't want to give this person on the street money. they should get a job!"

"i'll do my good deed and give you food, but don't you dare touch me - i don't want to get some disease. you smell like alcohol."

"what am i suppose to do? i can't save the world. i'm just trying to live my life. i'm just one person..."

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until recently, these very thoughts would often dwell in my mind. this was my perspective. but the reality is that i can make a difference through One Person, the world was changed...

whether it is actually through finances, or through just talking to someone in a shelter, or whether it's sitting quietly holding a child... i can do something. i used to ask, "why is this person in this situation?" i don't know the answer to that question...but what i DO know is that i CAN help in some way. it's time i stop just talking about how sad the world is, and start doing something to change it.

a revelation during bible study really shook me, more than i thought it would. i find it's much more easier for me to do mercy ministries here in Quito, rather than Vancouver. why? because less fortunate families here are in their state because they literally have nothing. they work their butt off trying to support their family and provide a home. in Vancouver, the less fortunate are in their state because of some dumb choices they made along the way. our government gives them money, and there's ample food at various shelthers. but you know what, Jesus never said "care for those who deserve your help." no...His love is for everyone, as should mine.

as "rah rah" and "revolutionary-wannabe" as this is gonna sound, i wanna live life knowing that i made the most effort to communicate the love of Christ to everyone i meet, whether in word or deed. i don't just want to go thru the motions of life, maintaining and keepings things rolling. no, i want live intentionally, and missionally.

"Preach Jesus; use words, if necessary." - St. Francis of Assisi.

dL