The 67th Book of the Bible

I love to read. Nothing makes me happier than having an afternoon to myself, putting on my sweats and reading a great book while nestled in my couch. Because I read mostly non-fiction (and due to my notoriously bad memory) I can reread the really good ones again and again. And I’m usually reading two or more at the same time…one for morning inspiration, something motivational during the day and something rather meditative (translation: read 1 minute and fall asleep) at night. During the day, I’m also reading articles, newsletters, magazines, on-line news reports. I just love reading.

I recently came across a quote in one of the books I’m currently re-reading, “What Can One Person Do?” A middle-aged woman in Bulgaria is quoted as saying, “A normal person has…. some self-esteem, to take a holiday, read a book. While now—you work here or there all day in order to have something to eat, and at night you can’t even exchange a couple of words like normal persons, you drop off asleep as if you were dead. It’s as if you were dead while you were still alive.”

I have always been aware of world poverty and hunger. When I was small we went trick or treating on Halloween with UNICEF cans. When I wouldn’t eat every last bit of food on my plate, my mother reminded me of the starving children in Biafra. The TV ads with Sally Struthers talking about children all over the world needing our help seemed to grate on me more than compel me to do anything positive. Millions were dying from hunger and disease. The statistics were more numbing to me than a call to action. But this quote got to me. It was very eye-opening to me (maybe heart-opening would be better to say) as to how people are forced to live their lives. Not just that they are hungry, but that the time they have to themselves is basically for sleep. Where I’m reading several books at once, this woman has no time to read, perhaps with no way to even get a book. Or have a hobby, or meet a friend for a cup of coffee. All those things that give me such pleasure. Things that I so take for granted.

This spring I had the privilege of working with an incredible group of folks presenting the Millennium Development Goals, which were adopted by the U.N. and the Episcopal Church USA in 2000, to our congregation. I find now what is happening to me is an awakening to the power we hold in our hands to actually do something about extreme poverty. Our Christian values and thoughts ran like a thread through each of our discussions.

We are in a position to allow our lives to change the story of the world. I recently heard Christians described as the 67th book of the Bible. People read our lives, our words and our actions and draw conclusions about our faith from them. The way we live declares whom we love and on whom we depend. We are explaining Jesus to people all the time by the way we live not by words alone.

Here are some useful ideas for us to consider when assessing our lives and our commitment to holistic change. Try reflecting on just two or three of these each day, either on your own or with colleagues.

In our work:
Glorify God in all we do.
Use the Bible as a reference and guide for all our development work.
Stand with and encourage those who are suffering.
Ask for God's power in all the situations we are involved with.
Show people the relevance of the Bible by relating it to their own situation.
Stand up for justice and against injustice at all times.
In church services, include issues concerning the community, justice and the practical outworking of biblical values.

In our actions:
Love the poor.
See the image of God in everyone, no matter what they are like.
Listen before we speak.
Live lives that raise questions in others to which the gospel is the answer.
Display sensitivity.
Use our knowledge and creativity to assist and support churches and people in their work.

In our beliefs:
Think more highly of others than ourselves and desire to serve people.
Have a passion for helping people find their true identity and gifts.
See ourselves as stewards of the gifts and possessions God has given us.
Have a repentant spirit and be willing to seek forgiveness.
Have that genuine humility that should come from being in Christ.

In our personal lives:
Live reliable and honest lives.
Be flexible in our response to situations.
Live a life that shares God's love.
Be open to the Holy Spirit directing us.
Be willing to speak about our strengths and weaknesses.
Grow in our understanding and obedience to God's word.
Be dependent on God.
Be welcoming.
Love God with all our heart, mind and soul.
Be a good neighbour.
Be patient in all situations.
Be prepared to let God use us at any time.

If you haven't managed to meet all of these yet, don't be surprised; none of us has! But don't give up, either - keep persevering! God's strength and grace are enough to pick us up each time we fall short.

These thoughts were adapted from the book Christian Wholistic Development by CRUDAN.