Before I say anything, I just want to admit that I am as equally guilty as the next person... I have been selfish. I have been so selfish.
Tonight, ACU had a Chapel forum for Invisible Children. Representatives from IC came, showed a video, and spoke to us. It was a really moving experience for me. Now, I knew about Invisible Children in high school and helped out at the time. I never really became as passionate about it in high school, as I became tonight.
I'm generally a pretty sensitive and compassionate person, but tonight I just broke down crying.
Living in America, we can be so caught up in ourselves, our problems, and our wants and needs. The world tells you to seek promoting yourself and climb the ladder of American success. They tell you to chase the American Dream and to pursue the dollar sign. They say that your value comes from what you do and how successful you are at it, the money you make, and the possessions you own. You don't have time to worry about the world outside your own four walls because it's all about "me, me, me." Success in America's eyes all promotes self. We're too focused on our latest device of technology, and picking out what outfit to wear the next day. Western culture is go, go, go and don't stop. Don't you dare stop or take your eyes off of yourself. If you do then success and the American Dream will take longer to achieve. People who are hurting? People who are starving, dying, and lost? No, no- they don't exist because they're not inside the 4 walls that I dwell in. If I don't see it, and if it doesn't involve me, then why care? Why pay attention to anyone other than yourself? This is what Western culture and America promotes. We're all about independence with a capital I!
I realized tonight that I, too, have fallen into this cultural trap. My heart does cry out for and desperately wants to help those who are in need and who are hurting- I really do. But, I am a perpetrator of this cultural "me" -focused mentality. I get caught up in accomplishing what's on my to-do list, managing my time, and in typical American lifestyle things. This world is bigger than just me. I am just one person. It's not all about me. It's not all about what I have to get done and whether or not I have time to do things other than what I planned. This life that I live is not FOR or ABOUT me. Yes, I get the privilege of living this life, but it is a PRIVILEGE like I said before. I get to life this life because I am here for a purpose. A purpose that is bigger than myself. I have been given the breath of life so that I can help others around me and glorify the One who has given me breath. My agenda, my wants and needs, and my time is NOT meant to be all about me. It's about HIM and THEM. That's what it's for. I am one person, but I am living, moving, and breathing so that I can touch the lives of MANY people in need.
God re-awakened my heart tonight for our broken world. It's bigger than the four walls I reside in. It's bigger than me. It's bigger than Texas. It's much greater than America. It's world-wide. We all hurt and have needs. This world is in pain. It is crying out for a generation to take a stand, and to take their eyes off of themselves and focus on OTHERS. A world in need is crying out for a Solution, crying out for hope and peace, and crying out for meaning. Human beings everywhere are crying out for LOVE. Not the FASAD that is love, but the REAL THING.
This is burning in my bones, and is at the core of who I am. I want to bring LOVE, REAL LOVE. I want to bring a culture of LOVE to this desperate planet. A LOVE BIGGER THAN JUST ME. AGAPE LOVE.
Are you aware of the world around you? the people around you? the bigger picture?
Just thoughts.
LOVE y'all & God Bless! <3
I am Meagan Whitson, and I am beyond excited right now. :)
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