James 2:17

I read my campus newspaper today and was both inspired and perplexed.

About 275 CSUN students participated in an AIDS walk in West Hollywood along with some 30,000 supporters. The group of students are praised for their philanthropic spirit, and giving back to their community. The walkers all brought small tubes of toothpaste to give to people affected by AIDS. Walkers also received free transportation and free food throughout the morning and walk.

I am all for everyone "doing their part," and I see an absolutely large value in small giving. I am completely for advocacy and for standing up to global atrocities. More glaring than the 275 students at the walk are the 35,000 students that didn't attend. I do lift up those who spent their day walking for AIDS.

I still can't help but question. What is a small tube of toothpaste going to do for the seven year old in Zambia who just lost their second parent to AIDS, and is attempting to survive and take care of her three year old brother? It poses a glaring question. What are we doing, as Christians, to be the hands and feet of the God we serve? Many of us wouldn't even give up a day to walk in the name of AIDS (or buy the 99 cent toothpaste to donate)... but even if we did: is it enough?

James attacks the heart of this attitude towards faith in the following passage:

James 2:14-19
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

He poses an interesting question. Can a faith without action save us? God is the final judge, but James is asking a thought-provoking question. What James is getting at here (in our generation) is the following situation:

Someone asks for prayer for a pertinent need:
"Can you pray for me? I just lost my job and cannot afford to buy groceries for my two children."
"Yes, I will pray for you. God will come through."

Or in the context of AIDS:
"Would you pray for Africa? They are affected by an AIDS crisis that is orphaning and widowing women and children."
"Yes, I will pray for them. God will work mightily in Africa."

What good is our well-meaning response if we do not see ourselves in the answer to that prayer?

Christian living is messy. It's difficult. It's sacrificial. It's not immediately appealing, and especially isn't self-pleasing. We are called to emulate the life of the Son of God, who spent every breath of his life living for others. In his last moments, knowing that he was to be betrayed, he chose to wash the feet of his followers... even the one he knew would betray him!

Let's be honest here. If we, as Christians, only focus on the AIDS crisis in Africa, we are not truly listening to God. God provides passions for us so that we, as the body of Christ, serve people all over the world of whom are experiencing different problems. Some of us are called to corporate America to shine light into a dark, self-serving and lonely community. Others of us have a passion for orphans and widows. As a matter of fact, if we have a heart that resembles God's, we Do have a passion for orphans and widows. We are called to be like God, and God has a HUGE heart for the least in our society. The difference is some will receive a call to spend a lifetime working with widows and orphans, and others may be called to spend their lives elsewhere yet maybe help those who want to spend their lifetimes working with widows and orphans.

I bless you and lift you up if you choose to walk and donate toothpaste to make a change. I do really mean that, by the way... I am not sarcastic at all. On the other hand, I hope to challenge you.

There are needs in the country of Zambia. What are you going to do about them?

Don't just assume that if you're over the age of 29 and have a career that your job is to financially fund. Pray! God may be calling you to GO. Also, don't just assume that you have to GO to Zambia to make a difference. There are missionaries that need funding, homes for orphans that need to be built, and children who need to be sponsored.

Would you join me in prayer for Zambia, and the orphans and widows affected by AIDS? I add only one condition. Let our prayer be: "God, what can I do?" God is moving, and all we need to do is ask where he would like to get us on board.

As far as I know, there are a plethora of spots open to go to Zambia this summer to be a teacher for Camp Hope, a week-long bible camp for orphans. There are also spots to be a summer intern.

As far as I know, there is a large hole in funding for house #6 in Chongwe. There are 8 orphans and a widow of whom God has already hand-picked to live in that home. It is not built because the people God is calling to fund it are not responding.

As far as I know, there is still a Huge need in funding for the Chicken Farm that is going up in Chongwe. This is a self-sustaining project that will provide jobs for local people and will provide tens of thousands of US dollars annually for the ministry once started.

As far as I know, there are still more children that need to be sponsored. The homes already built need to continue receiving funding so that the children and the mama of the home can eat, receive health care, go to school, and do everything else a Zambian child should be able to do.

Don't assume that one need is yours to fill. Pray, and receive God's calling. Then run recklessly in faith towards what God tells you to do.