The 21st Century

 It’s 2021. The prime time of social media, robotic surgeries, fast food on every corner, electric cars, stimulus checks, doggie day cares, overnight mail deliveries, sparkling water, heated pools, and ease. Lots and lots of ease. 

And yet.... not across the world, not in some far off place, not some unreached people group that has never heard of America... no, it’s not that. It is less than 2 hours off the coast of Florida. The island that has hit our nightly news stations more times than once. The place where some people still live in thatched huts with no running water, no electricity, no mango berry exfoliating hand soap or scented shampoo made especially for curly hair. No closet full of sandals or pantries full of junk food. 

It’s a place with natural beauty, majestic mountains, turquoise waters, island time, and simple living. 

It’s a place that still to this day, in the 21st century, struggles to feed its people. It’s a place where you ask children what they want to be when they grow up and they don’t have an answer. They never have an answer because they don’t even know what opportunities are even out there. 

God didn’t lavish us with luxuries to live a rich life all to ourselves or to acquire more stuff- I of one have my fair share of way too much stuff. 

He blessed us so we could be a blessing. We are His hands and feet. We are the ones who are expected as His followers to help the poor, the forgotten, the outcast. 

That is why we are rich. Our riches aren’t bad. It is not something to be guilty of. And for sure isn’t something to flaunt, but it is the tool we need and the tool we have to bless. To be a blessing. We mustn’t let the world and its “stuff” blind our vision to reality. To poverty. To starvation. To the countless ways we can help others. To the never ending ideas that we, who have so much, can be a blessing to someone else. 

The greatest gift of all is being able to give. Because in some beautiful, profound, extravagant way, we end up getting blessed in return too. We have plenty to give.

 Just remember to give it. 

“Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience TRUE LIFE.” 

1 Timothy 6:17-19 

The neighbor down the street, the beggar on the corner, the widow in the nursing home, the ministry across the ocean- they’re waiting and praying and crying out to God for you. 

For YOU. 

Be a blessing.

 I promise you’ll be blessed in return.