I read a book over my holiday period which has completely changed me. At least I really hope it will, it's certainly changed my thinking, which is bound to change my actions. Maybe there are people reading this who'll be able to say "hey... I do that too!!"
So, what do I do. I run.... I hide.... I push away those things that REALLY get me. Ok, so you need an example.
I hate watching the news. Why? It bugs me. I get tired of hearing bad news. I can't stand talking to someone and the first thing out of their mouths is how bad the world is.. or this death.. that death, you get my point. I hate seeing the devastation in this world, neglected children, poverty. My instinct is to run from that as fast as possible.
Maybe that's just the flesh. Of course it is!! Maybe what we're supposed to do is the exact opposite.
It's been going through my mind for a couple of weeks and refuses to budge. What's the word?
EXPOSURE
Have you considered that maybe instead of us running from poverty or the need for social change, instead of us all feeling emotional about it, that maybe we could do something about it. I'm not here to hit you over the head (though seriously give me a rubber bat, and it could prove rather fun!) but maybe the first thing to do is to expose yourself to poverty, to children in need, to the things that make you cry out.
Why?? Well, because one day you'll have had enough. One day something inside you will break and we'll be moved to action. One day you and I will go out there looking to be the answer to the problems we see in the world.
Yep, I'm a little bit passionate. I just spent an hour or two crying. Looking at my computer screen, crying, part of me breaking at the needs of people, and yet marvelling at their joy. Amazing.
Am I saying this is the answer, absolutely not. But maybe it'll help, maybe it's a starting point. Maybe it'll get us thinking about what we can do. Maybe it will get you to come give me some ideas on what I can do! I have one already, but I'll save it for later. But one day I hope I'll be the person who made a difference, not just in my Whangarei world, but all over New Zealand. Oh why stop there, all over the world. And hey it's not fame we're after. It's changed lives.
And if you're thinking "hey darls, that's just not me." Well, yes it is. We all have things that break us, we all have things we can't stand.
The book by the way is: Holy Discontent - Bill Hybils
"Break my heart for what breaks yours."
