Culture Shock

Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"

The following story is called "Culture Shock" and is written by Gianna, a student who had the opportunity to take a mission trip to Zambia.

"This morning as I was standing in the hotel bathroom brushing my teeth with bottled water to prevent from infection and while running the shower, waiting for the water to heat up, I experienced an overwhelming sense of guilt. I thought, I am about to meet some of the happiest people ever, and yet those same joyous people have to pump a well just to get a jug full of water, and the water that they do get must supply the needs of an entire family. Think about every aspect of life in which water is necessary- cooking, hydration, washing, and anything else we may flip our faucets for. Every ounce of the water they need, takes many more ounces of effort to get it.

I can sum this experience up in one word- shock. The shock of how wasteful I am. The shock of how much I have. The shock of how little others have. The shock of the fact that these people in need are God’s children just like you and I, the fact that Jesus gave his life for these people, but they are still suffering in such an unjust way. I still don’t know what to make of that realization and shock. The best thing I can do is keep an open heart and open mind so that our awesome God can do everything in His power to work through myself, the rest of Team Zambia, and everyone else involved in the famine to change the world and put an end to suffering". 1

The young woman in this story got to experience firsthand some of the poverty and deprivation of a 3rd world country, and it really changed her perspective on the way she lived and how she wanted to serve God. She talks about how it made her realize what God had given her that she had been taking for granted up to that point. Sometimes we need eye-opening experiences like that to show us how blessed we are and how blind we have been to the suffering of others so God can start using us how He wants.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Not all of us can go on a mission trip like Gianna did, or like a friend of mine who is in Liberia, Africa right now, serving with a group of young Christians for two weeks, but there are still ways we can be more aware of all the suffering going on in our world. More of it goes on even in our own country than we may realize, and God wants us to have compassion towards those in need, comforting and helping them as Jesus would were He here in our place.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go on a 30-hour fast from everything but juice and water with a group of youth from a local church where I live. We had the goal of raising money to send to World Vision, a Christian organization dedicated to feeding the hungry and starving. It was a unique experience to see how much I have to be thankful for and how I should be more content with all that I have been blessed with. It also gave those of us participating a little glimpse of what it's like to really be hungry, because we here in America honestly have no idea what hunger even feels like. We only think we do, but we've never truly experienced what that type of hunger is like. Even though it may sound like a long time, 30 hours without food is really nothing in comparison to what nearly a billion people are going through all around the world with no assurance of where they're getting their next meal. 7,000 children younger than the age of 5 will die today from hunger-related causes. No, we can't save all of those dying and in need, but so often we stay in our own little world, not trying to help others when we see a need, or not even so much as caring about anyone except ourselves and those closest to us. And even though we may feel bad about it when we hear stories of what others are going through, it's not enough to just be compassionate towards their situation; we have to actually do something, whether it be large or small.

As it says in James 2:15-17 "15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

You don't have to go to another country or fast for over a day to help those in need, although those are some good ways that will help you to be more aware of how much you have to be thankful for, and how God has blessed you so you can be a blessing to others. But you can start right where you're at by looking for ways to serve God and others with the skills and resources you have been given. Donate towards those serving in underprivileged countries, even if you can't give much. Only $30 can feed a starving child for a month. Help out someone that doesn't have the time or strength to take care of their house or property, without expecting anything in return. Give of your time to listen to the needs and struggles of others, whether they seem insignificant to you or not, and ask God for wisdom on how to help make a difference in their lives. If you have more than you need, give somewhere like the a family mission for the homeless that will redistribute food, clothes, and so on to those who truly need help. Most importantly, ask God to show you how to be Jesus to the rest of the world, because if we don't show the world Who Jesus is and what kind of change He makes in a life, who else will?

2 Corinthians 5:15 "And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

JPK


1 story found here: http://www.30hourfamine.org/2012/08/culture-shock/
2 hunger facts found here: http://www.30hourfamine.org/test/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Talking-Points1.pdf