Thursday, June 4, 2009

Article...

Put it in the light! Truth usually finds a way to be in the light!

"Out of ignorance and certain outmoded cultures and traditions, many people have died....I will do everything humanly possible to rectify those anomalies because the saying goes that 'he who conceals his sickness should not expect to be healed.'"

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

"After watching the stories of some people with AIDS and learning that the disease could infect anybody, no matter how sinful or holy one might be, he became an activist so that people would not be blindfolded, but educated and well-informed."

I refer you to an article in the UMC news feed.

When I was a youth, I would have loved this event. It's a camp out with friends. It is a wonderful way to provide food/funds for those trapped in homelessness.

As an adult, I am pleased "The youth paid $5 each as “rent” for their boxes and brought more than 300 cans of food" for community missions. It is also pleasing to learn "The youth also heard from speakers involved in agencies that assist the homeless". I am uplifted by the fact that youth are helping provide for "the least of these" as Christ taught.

Yet, something is unsettling about events like this. What is bothering me? Is it that I feel guilt that I have I have a warm bed? Is it that something like this seems almost "condecending" to the homeless who do not own sleeping bags. Who can not trust the guy in the next box over to not take whatever comfort they may have, not to say their life to get at shoes?

I am not trying to say I am opposed to such things, or that I do not support youth doing these type of things. Yet, why am I unsettled?