Compassion for the World

We are often reminded of our “first world problems” on days when things just don’t go right. The drive to work is slow, the bus is late, the coffee tastes lousy, the day of work or school is demanding, the refrigerator isn’t stocked with the favored snack of whatever it is we happen to be craving.

We are grumpy, frustrated, irritated until someone finally reminds us these are first world problems – be grateful! Begrudgingly we agree but continue to count our problems.

Throughout the world there are problems to which we can’t relate. Problems we have no experience dealing with on an everyday basis. Daily problems that are found in third world countries. Places where the one water source is contaminated and is available only after a hike of several miles. A place where the average income is less than a $1 a day. Where education is only available to those who can afford it and are not needed to work at home. Homes are largely constructed of mud – the only available and affordable building material. Transportation is a scarce commodity if one would need to traverse rutted mountain roads. The local communities have been decimated by AIDS leaving children to be raised by older siblings, who are children themselves, or by grandparents.

Pastor Drew, in meeting his sponsored child for the first time, thought to himself, “These children are real.” They are real and they have true third world problems.

Imagine if you were able to provide an education and clean water to a specific child who’s name you know and family you know about. Imagine being part of supporting a community that is able to have sustainable businesses and services that once seemed impossible. Imagine being part of releasing a child from poverty in Jesus’ name!

Don’t just imagine, go do it!!

Compassion International is an organization that can and does make this happen with the support of people just like you. According to Compassion International regarding their child sponsorship programs, “All of our child development programs provide opportunities that encourage healthy development in four areas — spiritual, physical, social and economic.”

The Bible speaks specifically to our role in helping the poor. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” God doesn’t tell us this because it’s a nice thing to do, he tells us this because he created us and in doing so he knows that joy comes when we give our lives to serving and caring for others.

Jesus modeled this compassion throughout his ministry. Ultimately he told his disciples to, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…” (Matt 28:19)

We are to go!!

Will you spend time focusing on third world problems and being grateful for your first world problems? Will you pray and search for guidance on how God is asking you to respond? Will you take the steps of compassion as Jesus modeled?

JW