Doing…revisited.
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” ~ James 1:22-25 (Emphasis by me)
Look familiar? It should. This is how I started my blog post on October 19, 2006. I would recommend going back and revisiting that post (or visiting it, if you haven’t read it before). So, have you looked at yourself in the mirror, walked away, and forgotten what you looked like? In other words, have you seen a problem, walked away, and not done anything about it?
I have. Back when I watched “Invisible Children,” it really got to me and I wanted to do something. I never did though. Though I’ve thought about the problem off and on, the issue has mostly been in the back of my mind; I’ve forgotten.
I watched the movie “Blood Diamond” today. Now, I’m not advocating going to see it or anything, but it again brought to my attention the issue of child soldiers. It’s a sad situation!
I also read something in Relevant magazine today. Jason Boyett was writing about how he got pretty angry at a couple he saw on a plane who were complaining about the little issues in life. Jason Boyett was merely thinking about his recent trip to the Dominican Republic where he visited a ministry that provided clean water to the urban poor. He related his story to a friend, who said, “The problem is that anger you feel about it usually goes away after awhile. And before long, you’re acting the same way, and you don’t even notice it.”
Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Sometimes we start thinking so much about ourselves, and we forget about the people who really need help. It could be your next door neighbor, or it could be the child soldier in Africa. Either way, does getting the newest CD or the coolest clothing really matter anymore? Just last night I spent $50 on CDs, a movie, and a book. It’s not like I needed all of that stuff. I just wanted it. What about the family in Africa who only wants clean water, who only needs clean water? That $50 could have gone someplace else, someplace where it could have made a difference.
I close the same way I closed in my October 19 post:
I know this verse I’ll close with is kind of a punch in the face, but it needs to be said. James 4:17 says, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” We all know we ought to help others. I feel the tug. Do you?