A Change in Perspective

Before you start reading this post, take a moment to pray and ask God to show you something through this blog. This topic is over something that God just used to humble me in a great way, and I truly believe it is something that every follower of Jesus needs to recognize.

 "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" Romans 1: 20

God's power can be clearly seen among all of creation, spanning across every corner of the Earth. God has been working in every part of the world since the creation of the world, and it is difficult for anyone to deny that there is not some sort of higher being, whether they know Who it is or not. That includes Third World countries and impoverished areas all over the world.

I have realized from my own ideas as well as others, we can sometimes take a very prideful approach to ministering to the poor and needy. God does not send us to distant countries and impoverished neighborhoods because He has forgotten about them and suddenly decided to reveal himself by sending the Christians in. Romans clearly tells us that "people are without excuse" because "God's eternal power and  divine nature" has been evident since the creation of the world. This passage reveals to us that God has been working in every part of the Earth since the dawn of creation. God has not favored the middle-class Americans anymore than the "lower-class" and "impoverished people of the world." He has just chosen to work in different ways to different people. How conceited are we to think that we are the only way God can work in their lives? Let me share some of the ways God has blessed the "poor."

• Global Issues tells us that almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. Yet so many still find a way to survive and receive what they need. Blessing.
• Additionally, nearly one billion people entered into the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. However, some of these children of God are being reconciled and able to comprehend the Gospel and God's unconditional love. Huge blessing.

• We have material things that distract us, and people to falsely put our hope in. The "impoverished" have nothing to rely on  except Christ. When they accept Christ,they are so rich in His love and their love for Him, because He has broken them of all worldly distractions. A tremendous blessing. 

God has been at work in so many ways in the lives of the impoverished and needy. We are not called to care for them because we are God's only outlet of love for them. God does not need us to do ANYTHING. He chooses to use us, because so many do not realize His work in their lives, and He sends us to show them to see and appreciate God's work in their lives, and how much He loves them. God has been at work so much in their lives, our job is to show Christ's love to them through our actions and the miracles and blessings that God has been pouring out in our lives all along.

Finally, I invite you to change your perspective on missions and ministry towards the poor. I know in my own life, when I've worked with children and others in poor neighborhoods around the country, I realize how much of a blessing they have been in my life, because I see such a portrayal of Christ's love in their eyes. Maybe God doesn't always call us to reach the poor just to be a blessing to them, but rather so that they might be a blessing in our lives, as well. We need to realize we are not called because we have been more blessed than they have; we are all children of God, all having had different experiences, meant to bless each other through our unique stories that are deeply rooted in the love of Christ. We are called, not based on what we can do for the poor, but based on what has already been done on the cross for all of us.