Think for a moment about who you are... and who others know you to be.
I bet we could all come up with a very big list of ways that we identify ourselves. Mine would include some of the following:
Wife, Stay-at-Home-Mom, Stepmom, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Friend, Neighbor, Work-from-Home-Employee, Women's Ministry Leader, Teacher, Soccer Mom, Dance Mom, etc..
And if we got into the nitty-gritty of what each of these invidual roles entails, take Mom for example, the list of "sub-roles" like cook, taxi-driver, accountant, nurse, counselor, etc. could truly go on and on. When you think about it, there are multiple ways that we are able to identify who we are in life.
By far, the most important identity in my life is who I am in Christ. Truly - knowing that I am a cherished Daughter of the Most High King - is what grounds me and gives me purpose in all my other roles.
But for those in our world who are in literal slavery, their only way of identifying themselves is: Piece of Property. Talk about a heart-wrenching identity!
Many precious Cambodian girls are forced into a life of slavery, resulting in an identity that feels less than human. These sweet girls never know the freedom of being a wife, a mom, a friend... they never experience the joys we all take for granted: the anticipation of a birthday party, the time spent on a personal hobby, the fellowship and wisdom gained from a Wednesday morning bible study, or the ability to keep ourselves physically fit through the exercise class of our choosing. This list goes on and on, as well.
The only dream of enslaved girls - if they even dare to dream it - is for freedom.
Next time you think about who you are, be thankful that you have such a treasured possession: your identity. If I can impact even one life by traveling to Cambodia this summer, and expose just one girl's heart to the love that Jesus has for her - and the freedom and identity He gives - it will be worth it to me. It will be worth it to her. And it will be worth it to Jesus.
Would you consider partnering with me through prayer and/or a financial contribution? You can do so at the top of this page - securely - through Paypal or with the credit/debit card of your choice. I am 2/3 of the way to being fully funded for this trip. And I promise you - the return on your investment will have eternal rewards. SHE IS WORTH IT!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Just One Person
As we look at the problems of the world, we often lament: How can I really even make a difference? I'm just one person!
Consider this: Has ONE PERSON ever made a difference in YOUR life?
I read a heart-breaking true story today. A grown woman recalled walking home from school one afternoon when she was just 10 years old. Along the way, she was assaulted by a group of teenage boys who knocked her to the ground and laughed wildly as they beat her up: kicking her, pulling her hair, hitting her and scratching her face while she screamed and cried.
As she was struggling and crying, she saw a boy standing across the street on the sidewalk, silently watching. This little girl screamed at the top of her lungs, "Help meeeee!"
He just stood there.
She screamed again, "Go get someone!"
He didn't move.
The teen boys eventually gave her one last shove before they ran off, leaving her with not just physical injuries - but a traumatized soul.
I cannot state strongly enough that this is what is happening to young girls in Cambodia on a daily basis - only to a more horrifying degree!!!
Are we going to be like the boy across the sidewalk? Aware of their plight, but standing silent and unmoved? Do we think that because this problem is half a world away that God is okay with this kind of response from us?
God is clear: Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. ~ Psalm 82:3
Half a world away, a little girl is screaming out: Help meeeee! Go get someone!
I want her to know that help is on the way - because Almighty God in heaven heard her cry and He came and "got me". He said: Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. ~ Psalm 82:4
Can one person really make a difference? I know my answer. What's yours?
Consider this: Has ONE PERSON ever made a difference in YOUR life?
I read a heart-breaking true story today. A grown woman recalled walking home from school one afternoon when she was just 10 years old. Along the way, she was assaulted by a group of teenage boys who knocked her to the ground and laughed wildly as they beat her up: kicking her, pulling her hair, hitting her and scratching her face while she screamed and cried.
As she was struggling and crying, she saw a boy standing across the street on the sidewalk, silently watching. This little girl screamed at the top of her lungs, "Help meeeee!"
He just stood there.
She screamed again, "Go get someone!"
He didn't move.
The teen boys eventually gave her one last shove before they ran off, leaving her with not just physical injuries - but a traumatized soul.
I cannot state strongly enough that this is what is happening to young girls in Cambodia on a daily basis - only to a more horrifying degree!!!
Are we going to be like the boy across the sidewalk? Aware of their plight, but standing silent and unmoved? Do we think that because this problem is half a world away that God is okay with this kind of response from us?
God is clear: Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. ~ Psalm 82:3
Half a world away, a little girl is screaming out: Help meeeee! Go get someone!
I want her to know that help is on the way - because Almighty God in heaven heard her cry and He came and "got me". He said: Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. ~ Psalm 82:4
Can one person really make a difference? I know my answer. What's yours?
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