I am the problem. I’ve been a Christian for a while and I’m pretty sure that early on I realized I was MY problem. I don’t know that I would have willingly admitted to being a global problem until I read this chapter. It’s kind of hard to swallow at first, but I see it. I know I am not responsible for carrying out some of the atrocities that are out there—I’m not raping anyone in the congo…I’m not slashing anyone to bits with a machete…I’m not kidnapping, torturing, robbing, yada, yada, yada. I get that. But here's the thing. I'm not doing a darn thing to change any of the evils out there and, what's worse, I can't even be bothered to THINK about such atrocities most of my day. And it's not just the global issues, I've got people suffering all around me, EVERY STINKING DAY and I don't even take time to notice.
See, here's the thing, this world is full of all kinds of different people--people I like, people I love, people that, given the next 50 or 60 years I can learn to tolerate, people that will irritate me until the day that I die--but they are all people. We all have a story. We all have hurts, we all have needs, we all have wants and dreams and desires. We are all created in God's image and, as such, are worthy of dignity and respect--EVEN if I don't agree with them, EVEN if they bother the heck out of me, EVEN if I KNOW THEY ARE WRONG.
I was really hit hard by a lot of things in this chapter, but perhaps the most prolific to me was:
I talk about love, forgiveness, social justice; I rage against American materialism in the name of altruism, but have I even controlled my own heart? I overwhelming majority of the tiem I spend thinking about myself, pleasing myself, reassuring myself, and when I amd done there is nothing to spare for the needy. Six billion people live in this world, and I can only muster thoughts for one. Me.
OUCH! So, I have seen the "needy beast of a thing that lives in my chest" and I don't like it. I know I cannot bring an end to poverty, starvation or disease. I cannot bring about world peace, but I can take more time to be more aware of people around me, to treat them with dignity and respect, to try a little harder every day to be a better representative of Jesus. That's pretty much The Gospel as I see it. Now I just need to start living it.
So, what about you? What stood out for you in chapter 2? What have you been convicted by?
Have a blessed week. Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
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it took me a little while to grasp all of this i now realize this is seriouse and its psyco! im really starting to understand life and actually realize its real and understanding why were here and that we do really need to help the poeple around us and most of all fix(help) our selfs beacuse i know i am not in any place to judge someone but i do need to try and help them though right??
ReplyDeleteI have never really thought about this before how you are the problem. It eally opens your eyes about how many problems there are in the world that you are just watching and not doing anything about. when you think about all the problems you could help with then the world would be a much better place. even if you just help out with a tiny problem it still makes a diffrence. it just really packs a punch when you look back at all the oppurtunitys that you could have helped and changed the world
ReplyDeleteKista,
ReplyDeleteYour students are amazing! They are wise beyond their years...I'm encouraged and inspired by their comments! How awesome is this blog and this study! I LOVE THIS BOOK! God Bless You all and I will be praying for Him to show Himself in a HUGE way through this study!
Love,
Tammy Wood
The part that stood out to me is that "I am the problem". It never occured to me that I was the problem to all the rapes,murders,slashings and stuff around me. but then i thought and realized they dont have to be that big at all. Everything starts out so small and then it turns big. People didnt grow up and automaticlly become rapist there were lil things that lead up to that. And I didnt stop them or even i might have been apart of them. like hitting my sister when i was mad or smashing a kids penicil. It makes you realize that you should watch your actions carefully.
ReplyDelete"I Am The Problem" is something that is not very easy to deal with. Sometimes I find it hard to be happy because when I do, I feel guilty. Since my trip to Haiti I have constantly felt for those people who have nothing. It has forever changed my outlook on life and happiness. We are just so spoiled and we take for granted all that we have. How is it fair that we have so much and they have so little; lacking even the basics such as food and water? I'm still very selfish and in reality I do nothing to better the world. However, we can show the love of Christ wherever we are and that can make a huge difference. Maybe we can't change the world, but we could lead one person to Christ and their salvation is worth more than anything else in life we could accomplish. We should always stay focused on the second coming, and being prepared. God will only let evil remain for so long on this earth, but its up to us to be willing to let God shine his light through us!
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