It really irks me when information is presented that is not accurate, and people just take it as it is without researching to make sure it’s true. I guess I’m hypocritical in this aspect because I don’t research all information presented to me either. I don’t take everything I hear and believe it either. I am human, in no way perfect, and I realize that if I’m going to complain about this I need to work on my own weakness in this area. This is why I bring it up; I was in church once when a brochure was handed out about the state of different churches around the world, and some information was presented about a certain country that I am familiar with and have some inside information about. This brochure talked about how this country was not longer on the U.S priority list because they are supposedly “religiously tolerant” which is in no way true. Christians in that country are being persecuted every day, and are even being pursued into other countries and forced to return, so that they can be persecuted some more, or even be killed! All for the religious beliefs. This angered me, because if Christians just take this information as truth than it would not be all that unlikely that they would not feel as strong a need to pray for their brothers and sisters in that country. These brothers and sisters need our prayers!
It’s hard from me, coming from my background of being raised overseas and seeing much of the world, and living in apathetic America. And I’m not saying that I’m better than my neighbor. I’m not. I’m sure that there are areas that I am apathetic about it. It’s just that the environment here is so much different! Sometimes I feel like screaming “listen to me! Let me share with you what I saw.” At the same time I cringe from saying anything, because I don’t want to talk to someone who is waiting for the first opportunity to escape. Especially when so few people actually understand where I’m coming from. I realize though, that I’m not helping anyone from keeping quiet. I need to say something to someone. It’s even harder because I’m not like the “average” teenager. I don’t party (not the drinking, smoking, dancing party anyway) or date. I’m not in any way fashionable (wasn’t practical in dusty, dirty village). I not interested in the college party experience or being independent from my family. I love my family. They are my best friends. I’d rather make a difference in someones life than get a career. I like the idea of being a full time mom, and I plan on homeschooling. And just because of all these things and the fact that I was home schooled and am part of a close knit family, I’ve been told by people I love that I need to get out and see more of the world. I am too sheltered. This makes me want to say, “but let me tell you about the world. You tell me about parties, and I’ll tell you about hardship. You tell me about boys and relationships, and I’ll tell you about broken marriages and marriages that have been restored. You tell me about your boyfriend/girlfriend cheating on you, and I’ll tell you about polygamy and fidelity. You tell me about going to college to get a career, and I’ll tell you about my friend who only graduated from the 6th grade, and got a good, high paying job. Let me tell you about my friends. Their lively hood depends on farming. I’m not talking about tractors and expensive equipment. I’m talking about backbreaking work with oxen or buffaloes. Their children start working (hoeing in the garden/fields, gathering food, chopping wood, sewing, cooking, etc) at 5 years old. Girls are cooking and washing clothes for the entire family by the time their 10 usually. These girls aren’t raised to go to college, party, get a career, and lead a busy life. This girls are raised to get married, have kids, and work hard their entire life. These people live in fear of evil spirits. Every time someone is sick, they summon a shaman and perform a demon ceremony. They have no freedom. Everything, including where they live, is determined by the evil spirits. They believe a spirit lives everywhere. In their door posts, the trees, rocks, water, etc. This is the world I know. This is a world more real than college parties.”
My friends live hard lives. But they are happier than most of the people I have seen here who have it easy. It’s not riches that make you happy. If your not happy now, having more money won’t make you happy. These people would love to have the wealth that we Americans have. But I am almost afraid to give it to them, or see them come into it, because I see what it has done to America. But I suppose I am being really negative, and I really shouldn’t.
I’m grateful because I know that God is great and He has plans for us. This Song called “God of this City” by the Irish band Bluetree is a great reminder to us of who our God is.
You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are
You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Chrissy said,
August 18, 2009 at 9:34 pm
This is so true sarah mine. I agree about wealth, well I know you said a bit, but seriously… true riches are in Jesus and to give people money to deal with…it can lead to the greatest temptation to idolise it!
I really get so sad watching the people in my society, in my church, just not comprehend how the rest of the world has it. They attempt to, and I’m not trying to say they don’t want to, but it’s just difficult. It hurts to know they pray fervently for something they have no understanding of. At the same time, I get that not everyone can go. And I know not everyone has to, our country has enough of the same things but disguised as different already! It’s like that shirt … same same but different. mmm, I really hope going back to Thailand refreshes my heart for what I feel is my real home, but I will have to keep an open mind. People are warning me it may not be so, after so long. And perhaps they are correct. But I still don’t feel God has taken them off my heart. It will have to be a journey…and I’m on it right now, seeing as I’m doing things that don’t please God and finding out what He wants from me, is just my heart. Harder than one may think sometimes.