A Matter of Perspective

Wouldn't it be great if everyone cared for each other? If everyone thought about what was best for their neighbor, before what they wanted for themselves? If all the nations of the world would work together for peace and worked to guarantee a minimum quality of life for every person? You know, so everyone could at least have the basics, like food and shelter? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Well, yes, it would be great if there were less suffering and pain in the world. I will certainly not argue that point. And when I am given the opportunity to help someone in need, I like to take it. But let's take a moment to try and see the world from God's perspective.

First of all, we live in a fallen world, friends. Unfortunately, people do not think of others before themselves, because they are sinful and selfish. ("This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead." Ecclesiastes 9:3) So this wonderfully happy and fluffy ideal cannot be reached. I'm not trying to be a pessimist, or overly negative, or say we shouldn't bother to help the hurting and the poor. ("'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you." Leviticus 25:35) I'm simply trying to say that spending your entire life trying to make this life slightly less painful for others-or yourself, for that matter-may not be the best use of your time.

For example, say you work really hard focusing on some particular people group-helping them build homes, get educated, clean water, food, etc. You make their lives easier. Maybe even happier. But then what? Life on this earth is fleeting!

"For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?" Ecclesiastes 6:12

"It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath." Ecclesiastes 9:2

Whatever this life brings, whether joy, sorrow, peace or pain, eventually, this life will end! And then, each and every person on this earth will either spend eternity in the glorious presence of God in heaven, or eternally separated from God in hell. That's the only thing that God guarantees about our life. He does not promise that this life will be a fairy tale full of gumdrops and candy canes, only that every man will face the same fate when his brief time on this earth has ended. Every man will stand before God in judgment.

So wouldn't it seem, then, that a better use of the short, fleeting time God gives us would be to share something with eternal value? To be honest with people, and explain that things may never be easy, or happy here on earth. But that we have a much greater, and more magnificent promise to look forward to that will be better than our very very best days here on earth. To share the amazing and powerful love and grace of Jesus Christ with our lost and dying world!

I cannot feed and clothe every person on earth, or even every person I personally come into contact with. But God doesn't expect me to. He expects me to share the Gospel. To share the truth of scripture and the hope and promise I have because of what Christ has done. And then, my life will really mean something to God, to others. Then, my life will make a difference. An eternal difference. Isn't that what really matters?

Where the heart is...

I have been a lot of places and seen a lot of things in this world. Ok, not as much as some, but I've been around. I grew up on the coast loving the beach, spent time in the mountains and valleys of Virginia, now live in Texas, and have visited various other parts of our vast country. I've been to what seemed like every corner of Great Britain, and just across the border to Ontario, Canada. But through all these adventures, truly nothing compares to the rolling hills, beautiful beaches, copious lakes and more than 16 volcanoes that lie deep in the heart of Central America, in the country of Nicaragua.

Nicaragua is a country with a rich and vast, though sometimes perilous, history. And although Nicaragua is the second most impoverished country in Central and North America (followed only by Haiti) you will not find a more warm, loving and inviting people in all the world. I am constantly amazed at how quick Nicaraguans are to invite me, a complete stranger, into their home. These amazing, beautiful people, who often have nothing more than a hammock and a tv in their small, one room home, want to share what they have with me. A North American, who knows only about 5 spanish words! But perhaps what I love most about the people of Nicaragua is not their willingness to open up their home, but their desire, their hunger, to hear the Gospel. When I introduce myself, they are not only ready to invite me in and hear what I have to say, they call their entire family, and maybe even some neighbors, to hear as well!! They drop everything they are doing, pull up a chair, and listen with an intensity that you often do not see in even the most vibrant and lively churches here in the States. They are thirsting for something to put their hope in, something to cling to. Because believe me, many of these people will never see prosperity this side of heaven. Many will never have fine clothes, or a nice house, some will never have good health, or even a hot meal. They don't place their trust in the things of this world, because they don't have the things of this world! They know that what they need is the saving power of Jesus Christ, and they are dying for someone to tell them how to get it! Once word gets around that the North Americans are there (it doesn't take long) it is not surprising to have people chase you down the street and beg you to tell them about Jesus.

When is the last time you saw that in your backyard?

It is such a reality check whenever I am blessed to have the opportunity to visit or serve in Nicaragua. I get a chance to re-evaluate my life and my priorities. I am constantly reminded of all the stuff that we have here. Stuff that we don't even need, yet feel is so essential. I am continually in awe of the beauty of God's creation, and privileged to be able to explore His beautiful land. But most of all, I am humbled. Humbled by the generosity of the people, humbled by the way so many are forced to live, and finally, humbled by the fact that for some reason, God chose to give me the opportunity to share His love with so many. That God chooses to use me in mighty ways to further His kingdom. That God would use my weaknesses to show His power and His strength to a lost and dying world. It is something I just cannot comprehend.

Well, I could go on and on about my adventures in Nicaragua, and I have so many fun stories to tell, but they will have to wait for another day. For now, just know that Nicaragua, with its beautiful landscapes and wonderful people, is where my heart is.