One of the many things that I wrestle with is why there is so much privilege and poverty in our world. I struggle sometimes with why I have a comfortable life, in that my basic needs are met: roof over my head, food on the table, clothes on my back, etc., and yet, so many people in my city and across the world are not as fortunate.
In efforts to try to bridge the gap for me, I have been asking questions about our connectedness to each other as a human race and as all being created in the image of God. Though the questions can easily turn into feeling shame and guilt around my basic needs being met, I have tried to ask more practical questions around how my decisions can impact others. I ask myself questions like what stores am I purchasing things at and what do they stand for? How do they treat their employees? Where do they buy their products from and are they compensating their producers fairly?
I believe that making simple changes can have a great impact on the world. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but maybe many years down the road. The decisions on purchases (as well as other areas) can bring hope to others on the other side of the world. It is not about warm fuzzies, but about helping to end the cycle of poverty.
The reality is that poverty exists. The reality is that privilege exists. The reality is that I have a role in the bigger story of bringing restoration and redemption to a broken world.
