In Name Only

I was reading an article out of the newest edition of Relevant Magazine (you should totally subscribe btw) about how our things are made. In one part of the article it highlighted the story that came out a few years ago about a man who bought an iPhone and while band new - was loaded with 1 picture on it. 

She became known as iPhone girl in the media and was the factory worker in China who helped get the phone ready for shipping to it's new home. The pictures went viral and all of the sudden the coveted technical device became so much more to people. Everyone began to realize the lives that were attached to each and every piece of consumer product we buy. This one in particular spawned a firestorm of media coverage highlighting the appalling work conditions of people in the factories in that part of the world. 

People became outraged as they found details about the people who work for mere pennies in horrid conditions to supply us with the things we think we "need" so badly. As I was reading I found myself joining that group who was outraged about this injustice. It is wrong - just plain wrong.

The question was - What could I do about it?

I find myself feeling this way from time to time. Moved by the injustice in the world and ready to go and fight for those who are effected by it. 

I am heart broken for those caught in the human trafficking trade. 

I am disgusted by the fact that so many go without clean water each day. 

And now... I can add sweat shop conditions to my ever growing list of things to pick up my sword for.

HOWEVER...

As quickly as I was up in arms, it seems I had moved on. Back to my comfortable life in suburbia. iPhone girl was a distant memory and my phone was once again the instrument that makes my life easy. 

Why is that? Why is it that I fall in to the complacency that plagues our society and leaves others in this world to fight for even the smallest measure of things that most of us consider our "rights" as those living in the good ole USA.

God has been challenging me over the last few days as I have pondered what I am to do about this pathetic problem I have. Am I going to be an activist in word only - or will me deeds speak louder than my words? Will I not just talk about it, but actually do something about it?

The same could be said for the majority of us I think. It is nice to know I am not in this boat alone, but I hope that each of you reading this will be as haunted by these questions as I am. 

This is not just about social activism here people. It is about the very lives of human beings. And as much as God's heart breaks for the injustice of this world he designed to be perfect and is clearly NOT, His heart breaks even more for the souls of people who do not know Him. The people who are going to spend eternity without Him. 

And why is that?

Because for most of us - we "talk" a better Christian game than we actually act out in our every day lives. (preaching to myself here)

I have felt a change coming in my life for a while now. I am still unsure what that means or looks like, but I know God is breaking my heart for certain injustices in this world and for those who do not know Him and His love for them.

God has been challenging me, so now I challenge you.

What are YOU going to do about it?

Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words. 1 John 3:18 (gwt 1995)

Eternity...

I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. Proverbs 8:23

Today is my husband's birthday. (Happy birthday babe!) As I was driving this morning reflecting on the gift that was born to this earth on September 10 some years ago, I had the realization that in God's plan, John had literally existed. There was never a time in eternity past that John's life did not have a plan and a purpose. 

I got to thinking about the fact that God had no beginning and has no end. I kind of pictured this "ring of time" that is eternity that just goes and goes and goes... seamlessly. Think about that long enough and your mind will blow, at least mine would. 

So, if what I believe is true and God always knew that he would give John to the world as a gift on his birthday, the same would be true for all of us. God ALWAYS knew you and every thing about you. 

He ordained your birth, all your days and your death - infinity. He didn't sit down at a desk one day with pen and paper and "design" your life. It has always been there, ready for you to live it. 

So, what does that mean for today? For my day and your day? It means that God has always known what his plans are for us today and it is up to use to walk in His will and fulfill it. 

Infinity ago, God knew I would ponder this in my car, He knew I would write it down and He knew you would read it. Now... what are you going to do with it?

I don't know about you, but knowing that God ordained THIS day for me to live eternity ago bears some weight on how I will execute it. I hope I will not go through it mindlessly, not thinking about His plans but only my own. I pray that I will stop and look for those God ordained moments He laid out infinity ago and capture them and use them for His glory. 

Will you join me in that today. Live out your eternity today for His renown. 

Oh, He also knew you would comment on this post and let me know what you are thinking :)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11