What If The Problem Is...

"Lord, open my eyes. Don't let me return the same."

This was my prayer as I boarded a plane headed for Tel Aviv last fall. This trip was going to take me into the depths of a people conflict that has been growing for decades. I had no idea what would come next, but I prayed and believed something would.

This prayer was my anthem on the trip. I met amazing women. Women waging peace. Women who lost loved ones, friends, belongings and property to this conflict. Women who refuse to be enemies with the other, and who welcome enemies into their homes. Each day we met women (Christian and non) who strive to bring peace to their communities and countries. 

When I returned home, the Lord answered my prayer. I did not return the same. God knows me and I believe He knew exactly how He was going to reach me… 

When my children were younger their cry would tug at my heart. 

Some cries were emergencies, where I would drop everything and run to them.

Some were the result of pain, a nagging ear-ache or cutting teeth. 

Some were a whimper. Like a child waking up early from a nap. I can still feel the cringe on my face. You know, the "I want to cry too," cringe? I just needed a few more moments of peace. 

Some cries were helpless. There was nothing I could do to help. I was just a desperate mom, seeking the next remedy or recipe to bring comfort to a restless child. 

When I resisted from jumping up and running to my child's side, the cries remained. I couldn't ignore them. I still heard them. I still felt them. 

These cries sit deep in my bones. 

And don’t the cries of God's children sound the same? Don’t they originate from the same sources of pain, angst, loneliness and helplessness? 

"How long will you ignore the cries of My children?"

That’s how God reached me. Just as I can't ignore the cries of my own children, I can't ignore the cries of God's children. 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27.

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40. 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

God's word is very clear. But...

"I'm so busy. I really am." That's the first excuse which comes to mind.

Worldliness is contagious. "My son is growing. His knees bump up against my seat when he's in the back seat of our car. I really need a new car." 

"It's scary out there. I really like my safe and comfy bubble I live in." 

May I suggest, if we aren't intimately walking with the Lord, we aren't capable of seeing the world through His eyes?

"...but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action." Daniel 11:32b (ESV)

A global trip might not be feasible for you right now, but there are some practical things you can do to see the world as God sees it and to love and care for His children.

Pray and spend time with Him. Ask for eyes to see the world and His children as He sees them.

Head to the nearest abandoned lot to pick up trash.

Pull your neighbor's weeds.

Host a neighborhood party.

Stand on the corner and hand out donuts as people leave for work in the morning.

Stand on the corner and hand out popsicles as people return home from work in the evening.

Smile and say "hello" to everyone you walk past. 

Stock the break room with popular goodies and snacks.

Leave your change, or pre-load money in vending machines.

Serve in ACTS at Central.

Stock local laundry mats by leaving coins in the machines. 

Sign up to be a CASA for the State Foster Care System.

Sponsor a child through organizations like Compassion, World Vision, Feed the Hungry.

Join a Multiply Group, (a globally focused Life Group). 

Help settle a refugee family.

Serve at Feed My Starving Children.

Shop at Fair Trade Companies like Amazima, Preemptive Love, Noonday, Seek the Peace.

"For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." Matthew 13:15.

Over the last few months, I have realized that the problem, in fact, is me. Father, forgive me.