giving.

We have been reading through the book "Radical" by David Platt with our couples class at church. This week our discussion was about giving. Giving to the poor. Giving to the needy. This is something that has been close to my heart for a long time. 

From the book: "Did you know that more than a billion people in this world attempt to survive on less than a dollar a day. Close to two billion others live on less than $2 per day." He goes on to say that this is nearly half of the world struggling to find bare necessities on the same amount of money we spend on french fries or, worse, even less money than we spend on a cup of coffee at starbucks.

As much as this disturbs me, it also makes me want to help. I don't know that I even really grasp that statistic. But, I do think back on the times I've been in other countries. Seeing the way people live. Seeing the needs they have. And I think that is what stirs my heart more. 

Jacob and I have this conversation quite often... and I'm so grateful we do. We have thought a lot about giving and what that means for us. And the bottom line is really this. What if all we have, all we have accomplished, is not really for us at all? What if I was given brains and the ability to learn complex things so that I could go to school and eventually become a PA? What if I was given this job, which is ranked as #2 on Money magazines list of top jobs not because God necessarily wanted me to have comforts and luxuries of this life? I would even go so far as to say.. what if I live in America, a country where as a female I am able to enjoy these things like education and a good job not because it was by chance, or because God necessarily wanted to bless me (although he does richly bless me)? What if all these things are for one purpose: to glorify His name. What if I saw all these things as a way not to further my kingdom, but to advance His? What if I am given much so that I can give much? 

We have struggled through this idea. And we talked about this a few months ago. That what if all this is not really for us at all? We have even struggled with wondering why we are blessed when others aren't. But I think this reality is preparing our hearts for this: If he gives you much, he requires much. When God blesses me, it is so I can bless others. My education was given to me because my heart is for health and medicine in foreign countries. My money is given to me because I need to help other people who have nothing. I am not saying we are selling all our possessions to give to the poor. But, I am saying we -most people I know - would do good to look at what they have and decide that they have open hands with it. That if God is calling them to give, they would realize it's not theirs to hold onto anyway. I pray that God would continue giving us the attitude that everything is temporary, nothing will last. And I thank God that I have a husband who wants to give to those in need. I thank God that Jake and I are on the same page, and that he has a sensitive heart for helping others. This blesses me beyond belief. We are as different as night and day, but I am SO thankful this is one area we have come to see eye to eye. 

This is also not all about money. It's about time as well.. which I am not always so good at. People need our services, our money, and our time. I see that, and I want to be about glorifying God's name and helping those in need, however it may be. I know this is a long post, and I'd be foolish to think it was intended for anybody more than it was intended for me. It was just one of those things I wanted to put on paper - a tangible reminder of what was already being worked on in my heart.

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." {Luke 12:4}

an exam room in honduras

a supply table in honduras

a medical chart in honduras

a pharmacy in honduras

-Lace