not to us

Today, my mom and dad offered to watch the kids for Mike and me.  We seized the opportunity and headed out on a date.  It was a welcome break, and we chose to have lunch and catch a movie.  With its impressive Oscar sweep and the strong recommendation of several friends, Slumdog Millionaire was an easy movie choice.

Before I can go any further, I must affirm the awards for this film.  I honestly don’t think there’s any risk of accrediting too much acclaim to this movie, so I will just add my “Heck yeah!” to the chorus of others.  If you have not already seen Slumdog Millionaire, you must.

And with that, I want to share what has been rolling around in my heart. 

Lately I’ve been starting to lose my focus, lose sight of the bigger picture, lose perspective on my calling.  And God has been pulling, poking, tugging, speaking, whispering, and wooing me back to Him and His heart.  Reminding me of what it’s all about:

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love others.  He said that *everything* else hangs on these two commandments.  He also said that loving and serving "the least" of those around us is loving and serving Him.  So, it seems to me that loving others is a pretty freakin’ humongous piece of living a life that glorifies God.

To love them more than I love myself.  To seek to provide for and protect them before I provide for or protect myself.  To smile at everyone I pass by.  To speak with kindness and encouraging words.  To bring correction only out of a desire to see someone more blessed.  To give every single bit of extra that I have to show love towards someone else.

The truth is that my family could easily live in our home for the rest of our days.  Our home is a palace compared to the tin huts that provide shelter for families in Haiti.  The truth is that my oven cooks our food just fine and our refrigerator cools and preserves our food as well as any other.  So what if I have to adjust baking temperatures and cooking times and so what if my fridge has rusty spots on the front…we have food, an abundance of food!  I can put healthy and satisfying meals on the table for my children.  I have no fear of needing to give my children to another family, since I can’t provide for them myself.

What in the world am I doing?  Why in the world am I thinking about a bigger house, newer appliances, or better fitting clothes?  Why have I even considered limiting my love, time, and resources to two children, when I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has blessed Mike and me with more than enough to love and care for more?  Could I really possibly turn my back on a little boy living in an Indian slum or a little girl surviving day by day in a Rwandan orphanage?  Can I ignore children in my own home state who NEED a family to love them?  Can I actually say no to the tiny baby who is addicted to heroin and lying in a NICU bed with no mother to soothe his withdrawl symptoms?

Can I really drink a Starbucks Godiva Hot Chocolate, knowing that $3.69 could get me a third of the way to purchasing a mosquito net that could save a child's life?  Do I really want to go to *another* Jason Mraz concert, when I know that $75 could help bring a safe, clean water tower to a remote African village? 

And will I really be content if my children get adequate educational funding and resources, knowing that children in innercity school districts are at a distinct disadvantage?  Will I really allow myself to spend hundreds of dollars on my own children’s activities, when some of that money could provide an opportunity for another kid in a different part of the city or even another country?  And will I be content to look at my children and thank God for the medical provision that saved their lives without seeking to provide proper education, prenatal care, and postnatal support to mothers who are at risk because of age or social status?

Can I sit back and support or respect a government official who blatantly states that economic issues are more important than human lives?

This world is hurting.  And socialized healthcare won’t heal the hurt.

This world is groaning.  And massive bailouts won’t satisfy the longing.

This world is begging to be loved.  And there’s only one kind of Love that will work.

I am feeling challenged.  I am feeling challenged to give in a way that I can’t even imagine.  This makes me uncomfortable.  It overwhelms me.  It doesn’t feel like I can really do much with my measley total net worth and my silly little degree.  I’m just a woman in Midwest America.  What can God really do through me?  What can He do with me?  I just can’t see it.

But I will not use my limited vision as an excuse.  I will no longer pretend that I am useless.  I will no longer pretend that God blessed me only for me to watch out for me and mine.

Jesus Christ did not hold anything back for Himself.  Nothing.  He gave it all…up to and including his life, and He said that we should do the same.

“I wanna set the world on fire until it’s burning bright for You.  It’s everything that I desire, can I be the one You use?  I am small, but You are big enough.  I am weak, but You are strong enough.”  (Set the World on Fire by Britt Nicole)

You know the story of the woman and her two coins?  Count me in.  You know the story of the men and their talents?  Count me in.  You know the story of the boy and his lunch?  Count me in.

I’m.  All.  In.

You comin’ with me?