Finally got back to the gym this morning... it's been a while... I was in a really good mood. Then, I looked up from the elliptical, expecting to see the weather forecast, or something about a new tickle-me elmo for holiday shopping updates. Well, I got the holiday shopping update (nothing about elmo--my niece will be so sad)... apparently U.S. Americans have spent 40 billion dollars in the last two days of promoted Christmas shopping. Made me a little sick, I won't lie. Normally, I don't pay much attention to numbers...
...but our school had to go and show this video in chapel a week ago:
Now, that two days--40 billion dollars worth--of holiday spending means not giving clean water to everyone who needs it 4 times over...
...but this is just the world we live in, right?
Well, this year, I think I'm going to be a little change in that.
I realize this may be a bit unpatriotic of me (I pay attention in cultural anthropology class) ...but this year, I think I'm going to enter the story.
Care to join?
6 comments:
yay! I'm so glad you got to go back to the gym this morning.
so you really actually think you could get someone else to sit in the comfy chair across from you for 2 whole weeks? This may sound a bit arrogant but I really don't think you can replace me like that......
oh you can try....but soon you'll be crying tears of missing me and you'll realize I'm just not that replaceable.:) And all my replacements..I give them a day...a day in the life of Jenna...thats how long they'll last;)
see you in 2 weeks.
livingwater.org suggests that 18-20,000 children A day will perish from the lack of clean drinking water. What America has spent in the last 2 days...$40bil....we could of quenched that need for almost a decade.I share your frustration...Keep on pluggin
I am heart sick at the deeper cause to J-loo... The selfish nature of people has put us in a place that we can't see the need of another over the luxury of our physical being. I do love what you've become and are becoming.
Of course all our efforts go down the drain at every attempt we or anyone makes to help with issues such as these. We so quickly forget about the gangs and rebels that seize such projects after everyone has packed up and headed home. They fill wells with dirt and concrete, slaughter hundreds of thousands and kidnap women and children to use for profit gain. And yet it's somehow the struggling American who has to rise up and flush their money down the toilet for yet another cause the Church is trying to capitalize on for religious popularity. People have been going to these countries for a long time now.... something needs to change... it isn't America's spending....
Those who would do this from the heart, would still give even when it becomes inconvenient and uncomfortable for them. What if Jesus had given up on giving of Himself when He realized that not all of His efforts would be appreciated...that they would even be trampled upon...that they would even be crucified, distorted, ruined by the dirt of this earth...? What if Jesus, because He knew that not all would receive it and that others would attempt to slander, steal from, kill those who DID receive it, chose not to go through with the crucifixion?
Maybe it's not as much about the result as it is about the call...
That's what is interesting to me. These things always seem to find a way back to our benefit. It's strange, somehow we squeeze character restoration in for ourselves at the cost of others well being. Although, Jesus' purpose and plan never had nor has anything to do with mankind's political statements. He did however bring a sword. (Mt 10:34)
I think it's a good thing people help one another out. And I don't oppose finding ways to provide clean water for those in need. But when there is nobody to drink the water, then what? I think God has something bigger in mind. It seems too often we get hypnotized by nifty strategies by the Church flexing their muscles to conquer another tribe or nation. In the name of what though? Jesus... that's not how Jesus works. Jesus relied only on the father, He didn't guilt sinners, He forgives us and presents to us a promise. And by our full repentance we are given His gift. He is our clean water....
and why do we pick on the world and their spending habits. Especially at the convenient time of Christmas.. I'm curious what Christians spend on Mac products? or better yet.. I wonder what Christians spend on Coffee?
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