First, the financial stuff. I'm about two fifths of the way there, thanks to the generous donations of many of you, and the good people at Paradise Alliance Church and at Church of the Sojourners in San Francisco. I hope to be a good representative of the people who raised and discipled me. I owe them a great debt. I've really felt loved and supported by my people. It's a pleasure to be sent in such a meaningful way. Letters are in the mail as you read. If you have donated, but haven't heard from me yet, THANK YOU! Expect a more personal message to follow. If you'd like to make a donation to help fund my work with International Justice Mission this year, just follow this link.. Like they say, anything helps. I'd be grateful for whatever you have to spare.
This leads me to what I really wanted to talk about; working as a team. When I talk to people about what I'll be doing next year, usually they either stare blankly back at me, unsure of what to say, or they shower me with undeserved compliments about how great this thing is that I'm doing and how wonderful I am. I get that people are excited, and I'm grateful for their responses. But thinking about justice as this big heroic thing that only a few committed people get to do isn't the best. Let me clarify.
I think that, for the most part, we're all in agreement that slavery is wrong. I'd even wager to say that most of us are willing to make some small sacrifices for slavery to be abolished. Essentially, we're all on the same team against slavery. So, knowing that we're all on the same team, I think we all have a part to play. Some parts are more appropriate for us than others. For instance, if I was a single Dad, it would be wrong for me to leave my kid behind and go do an internship overseas. If you are in college finishing your degree, it might not be right for you to quit halfway and starting investigating trafficking cases all on your own. Certain roles are not safe, helpful, or appropriate for certain people.
But that doesn't mean that we don't all have a part. If I were a single Dad, part of my role would include raising my child to love justice, thinking carefully about what I buy and what businesses I support, and praying for the poor. If you're in school, maybe part of your role is getting your friends to think about slavery, educating yourself on the depth of the problem in your neighborhood, and meeting people who want to do something about it. My role isn't any better or worse than these roles. I just happen to have the availability, ability, and willingness to move overseas and work with IJM. That's what I have to contribute. But I'll be working a job, just like everybody else.
It isn't about what you or I are doing to bring justice to the world, it's about what God is doing through his people. We're all on the same team, trying to help our sisters and brothers out of a bad situation. They'd do the same for us.
Thinking of one tiny, isolated act of justice can seem depressing and insignificant when you're trying to decide whether to buy the $4 fair trade chocolate instead of the $1 regular kind of chocolate. How can this possibly make a difference in the long run? We've all been there. I think the key to fighting that inclination is to remember that hundreds of thousands of other people are making the same types of choices every day. Those add up. It's counter-intuitive, but it's important. The little things seem dumb at the time, but there is really no other way to do it. The way I see it, a lot of our big social problems can only be solved through sustained commitment to change playing out in the little things. In other words, the bucket will only be filled by many many drops. Remembering the big team is important.
So, let's think of ourselves as a team. Ask yourself, what can I contribute? As with any team, you decide your level of investment. What can you contribute? Prayer and financial support will always be helpful. But maybe there are other roles for you to play. Heck, getting together with other people and just thinking about important things is huge. And, as a team, let's encourage each other and recognize the value of each player and what they contribute. Remember the big team.
I want to invite you to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Even if it's only in a small way. Join the big team. Let's do this together.
