Bigger Problems

I may not be okay but seriously there are far, far bigger problems in the world.  From the devastating earthquake in Haiti, to the tight Connecticut race for Kennedy's old Senate seat, to Health Care reform, to Paula Abdula not being a judge on American Idol this season...  Okay maybe the last one isn't that earth-shattering.  I might get lynched by a couple friends who watch it but I'll take my chances.

Part of me is kicking myself for being so selfish and self centered lately.  Who cares if I'm depressed?  Or I don't feel like myself?


There are families with loved ones serving in the military in dangerous places around the world.  There are kids and families on the streets, around the world and in the U.S. that don't know when they're next meal will be or how they will survive another cold winter night without shelter.  There are children who have no father or mother; they both died from AIDS, or cancer, or a drunk driver hit their car.


How dare I sit here and feel sorry for myself when I have food to eat, parents to call and tell them I love them, a roof over my head, and a hand-me down computer to write this on.  I have bought into the lie that says I deserve this.  I have apparently taken to heart the American myth that all that I have is owed to me simple by my birthright. 


It's NOT true.  Just because I was born in America doesn't mean I'm better than anyone.  It doesn't mean I deserve anything.  In point of fact I am not owed anything by anyone.


I am blessed.  I am not deserving of what I have to begin with so how can I ask for more?  By the nature of that blessing I possess I am under obligation to bless others.  How can I do otherwise?  To hoard and acquire and stockpile the goodness God has graced me with would be deplorable.


In the book of Matthew Jesus talks about us all standing before Him to be judged.  He says this:

      Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

      "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

        "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

        "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

        "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

         "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

         "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."  Matthew 25:34-46

 I want to start looking outside me and help someone who's hurting and needs help.