There are some estimated 140 million orphans worldwide, close to 30,000 people die everyday because they don’t have access to water, food and basic medicine. There are 27 million human-slaves, countless diseases, wars, conflicts and human rights is still non-existent in many countries.
Our world faces many problems and large-scale issues. For those of you who are seeking justice and showing compassion, I commend you, it’s not for the faint of heart!
But, let me warn you, as someone who has spent the past two years (I’m still new to the game) living and breathing the issues of extreme poverty, position yourself for the long-haul. If you want to make a difference, you have to think in terms of “decades” not “years.”
It’s easy to take a trip, experience extreme poverty and pain, come back with a huge burden for those who suffer. But, if we are not careful, we will burnout, and if we do that, those who suffer, will continue to suffer as we disqualify ourselves from serving because of exhaustion.
I’m currently learning how to comprehend this right now, how do I wake-up daily and do what I can to make the world better, yet knowing that evil is so real and tangible, the suffering is so brutal and pain is so deep, and somehow I have to carry this with me, while I still live my life.
Tomorrow, I will post part two, which are some practical ways that I think will create longevity and wholeness as we seek justice and show compassion for those who suffer. Until then, you can mediate on this verse.
good word… can’t wait for part 2! I also hope peeps understand the importance of community in all this as well… working together as a team picking each other up when we fail (at the same time not becoming a introverted huddle)