One of the things I fight the most in my personal life, is my American up-bringing. This is not to say I regret, or dis-value my American Identity, it simply just gets in the way. Many time people believe that the people involved in our business are spiritual giants, that have such a good handle on biblical principles like love, selflessness, and sacrifice. Well I cannot speak for everyone, but for me, nothing could be further from the truth. This experience has and I hope forever changed my view of the work of Christ. It has shown me that no matter where I find myself, my job is the same. Infiltrate the culture with the Gospel by creative and efficient ways, while trusting the idea that “all things work together for good.”
My American-Western culture, however, is a double-edged sword. I am convinced that although we have an endless amount of resources, and are by far the a blessed nation, it is a huge road-block. As Americans, we can say many good things about ourselves and our great country. It is a great place to live, and regardless of who is in charge every 4 years, it remains the best country to call home. I value that. However, I value certain characteristics of it too much. Comfort has a huge price tag in the US. We will pay out the nose for comfort. We buy a car with heated leather seats that turn on with a push of a button form inside our home because we don’t want to be “uncomfortable” on our way to a plush job that includes heating, air conditioning, and a nice guaranteed salary including a great 401k. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love heated leather seats. My first car had them (although the windows didn’t work.) And I coudn’t agree more that we should be good stewards of our money. So don’t misunderstand my point. I don’t believe any of these things are wrong. The point is, we value comfort in every area of our lives. “The couch is too lumpy,” ” The mattress is too hard,” or “Our TV is just not big enough.”
We love our comfort, and that is a great thing about America, it’s comfortable. Nice sedan to work with our frape-chino, go home for a nice meal, and fall asleep to Sports Center (at least thats what I do). This is our life. Of course we Christians go to church and are very committed to in great spiritual things like family and youth group. All great things. Important things. We live on a platue however, that values comfort over truth. When that happens, we very quickly become apathetic toward the rest of the world, becaue to entertain thoughts of what the world goes through on a daily basis is “uncomfortable.”
Please understand I am not accusing any of you of this attitude. These are areas that in which I see myself coming up short. It’s so easy to look the other way. If it’s the needy, or the Iraqi Refugee, it’s “more comfortable” to just not know anything. Our comfort levals also control our opinions about international affairs. We see things through American eyes, not the reality of situations. Somehow, before coming here, it was very easy for me to have an opionon about the war in Iraq, about our government, and about what should or shouldn’t be done. I had a good cookie-cutter answer for each area. I was the typical, right-wing know it all. Cookie-cutter answers don’t exist in reality. It is never that simple. Our American comfort would say differnt, but it would be wrong. Our simplistic attitudes and opionions sometimes end up costing many individuals and families thier homes, thier country, and thier lives. Yet, living a mere 200 miles from the Iraqi border, it is easier to remove yourself from the reality of life for those individuals, and ignore it, then it is to see it.
Hears the facts. The Middle East conflict is more than close to boiling point. Depending on the location one would be discussing, it has been over that point for a very long time. At this point we are literally one push of a button away from a full blown world war. No annalist or press member can predict what this area of the world may look like by this time next year. Iran is gearing up, and Iraq is surrounded by those who would love to have their hands on the resources. The decisions Israel, the United States and Iran will shape the future of this peace of real-estate.
As American Christians, we need to be praying for peace, and for God’s mercy on this area. It is not enough to pray for the safety of our troops (although this is just as important). We must pray for the peace of the Arab Nations. Do not loose site of the reality of this conflict. People have lost everything. We cannot allow ourselves to feel continue to feel comfortable. It’s time to value the truth of the Gospel above the comforts of our opinions. The Gospel is for the sick, needy and yes, the Arab. Pray that God will open their eyes, and that more war will be avoided, and that in the middle of what ever happens, the believers will thrive, and that the truth will set their countrymen free.
Maybe you already have been doing this. Keep it up, and get the word out. Our greatest weapon is prayer, not our missles or our trained military men and women.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God.”
-Yesuah, (Matthew 5:9)
that was good joel- that really encouraged me, it touches on what i wrote for last weeks paper that got pulled. but i think, if you have time, you should write something for the school paper. and marcelo and i will work to get it in there. just pray about it.
Joel. I, like Hilary, really enjoyed reading this. Listening/seeing others in my cirlce of influence experiencing the same things that I am always lets me stop holding in my breath to sigh in relief. I hope all is well in your side of the world and that I will get to see you again before Michelle and I move to Buenos Aires.