Thursday, June 19, 2008

A Deeper Thankful Thursday


"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

~Isaiah 58:6-7

As our church comes to the end of a 21-day fast, God has been challenging me with the verse above. I know that while I cannot single-handedly change all the problems in the world, neither is it right for me to bury my head and be completely unaware of them. This is something that, unfortunately, I believe we Americans can so easily do, and we, especially those of us who are Christians, must realize we are called to more - much more. It begins with prayer, asking God to give us a heart of compassion for the hurting world in which we live. Beyond that, I believe God can and will speak to each of us what He would have us do to help the people all around us. It may be serve, it may be donate, it may be simply - but most importantly - pray. So today, for Thankful Thursday, I'm diving below the surfacey things that can so easily come to my mind as I do this post, and be aware of the truly blessed life that I lead - and that many others do not.

(Note that each numbered item is actually a link to a site that is either a ministry or a site to promote awareness of a world need or justice issue.)


1. I have never truly experienced hunger

2. I have never been without a home

3. I have never experienced weather-related devastation

4. I have never feared being sold into slavery

5. My mother gave birth to me instead of aborting me - an option that became legal the year I was born

6. I have always had clean water

7. I have always been able to worship freely

8. I have always had access to medications and medical attention when needed

9. I've always had nutritious food choices available

10. I've never experienced civil unrest in my country

3 comments:

Holly said...

Thank you Jess for showing me what is truly important and what to be thankful for.

That was a great way to start my day! Truly humbling!

Laura said...

wow... what good lives we lead.

Anonymous said...

I will be praying for you. Love you