The Problem Lies Within

I (Ellen) just began reading Blue Like Jazz this week and I am really enjoying it. It's a book, though, that you have to take time to think about - much like Irristible Revolution, which Wes is wrapping up. One chapter is called Problems. In this chapter the author reflected on a time that he and a close friend went to politically protest in honor of global poverty and the War on Terror. He and his friend felt that this would be an excellent way to share their opinion and request for change. So they made signs and held them extra high and yelled as loud as they could. But nothing happened - they weren't even noticed. Troubled, the author went home and wondered why he even went to protest when he wasn't noticed and nothing changed about global poverty or the War. His convictions that day are applicable for all of us.

He realized that he wasn't actually doing anything to help global poverty come to an end - he just made a sign and held it high. Was he more concerned with actually helping people or being politically active? His response was that he wanted to be known as a politically active person, but when it came down to it, what he was fighting for politically did not match up to his day to day life. He confessed that he wasn't giving (tithing) to his local church who has a great homeless ministry. How interesting - he was willing to make signs, scream, and stand for his convictions, but when it came down to it, his actions didn't say that he really cared.

It may seem easy to think that he's awful - What small, thin faith he has. But the more I think about it, the more I've got stories like that. There are times that I talk about how the church needs to change this or that, but I seldom do anything about it. Much less, pray about it. So I have to ask: Do I want to have the label of a consistent church go-er or do I want to be Jesus in a dark world? Do I actually do things to help people or do I just talk about how awful the world is, or how church isn't done "right"?

The authors conclusion and conviction was that the core, underlying problem isn't political, but the problem was deep within himself. He realized that if he would have a heart check-up and change his perspective and actions, then something could actually happen. He believes that we all need to recognize our own brokenness before we can actually change or help anything going on around us, whether that is poverty, hunger, abuse, sexual immorality.

So I'm asking you - do you think you need a heart check-up? Maybe it's time that we accurately diagnose the problem and then make the appropriate and necessary changes.