I've been up since 3:00 a.m. this morning. That's nuts I know, especially on a Saturday when I can sleep in but choose not to. I have been reading this morning and listening for insight and wisdom. I've done a lot of thinking and reflecting on things as I read (this behavior is known to many as A.D.D.). I prefer to call it a blessing. It seems whenever I'm deeply engaged with God, poverty and suffering dominate our connection. Sure-these things deeply concern God...without question you could say that these things are what matter the most to Him when it comes to our conduct and compassion for one another.
As I got deeper in thought and questioning what God expected me to do with this, I think He wants me to keep mindful of those around me as well as those distant from me as both are within reach one way or another. On a larger proportion my attention was drawn to our friends Troy and Shari serving as missionaries in Mongolia. I feel led to honor them this morning and thank God for them. Their story makes me want to do more, to be better at being the hands and feet of the Lord...to stop being content with what I have and trade in my fools gold for real treasure. Troy and Shari not only found the treasure-they sold most all of what they had to get it and I'm sure consider the transaction to have been a deal heavily in their favor. Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
When I read that verse, for me, "fight the good fight" just comes up short. "Fight the good fight" just seems to have an aftertaste of "adequacy." In the midst of suffering and poverty all around us people raise their fist to heaven and cry to God "why do you let this happen" and yet we have no right to ask that. God on the other hand has every right to point at you and me and ask that.
I suppose some of us can do more for starters and instead of asking ourselves "how much am I expected to do or how much am I expected to give?" We should say more often "how much can I do and how much can I give?" Maybe if attitudes about serving and giving radically begin to change among Christians in a big way we might finally realize that fools gold has no value because it never did.
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