Disarmed

Many who read this blog aren't aware of Belize's high murder rate. In 2017, Belize ranked 7th in the world for murders per capita. In 2021, Belize is on-par with those trends. In the past few weeks alone several young people's lives were taken by gun violence. Belizeans are mourning and looking for answers. Social Media is rife with outrage, cries for reform, cries for justice.

As a youth worker who has lost clients to gun violence, each new death brings up memories of others who were senselessly gunned-down. In my experience with gang-affiliated youth, there are many ways to attempt to divert them onto healthier paths; mentorship, jobs, culturally-relevant experiences and belonging, to name a few. All of these outreach modes are employed with the goal of disarming the youth.

As I think about the word disarm, it seems like the church has been disarmed. Somehow we have lost our armor; we've become impotent and ineffective. The enemy has not called a truce; but somehow we've put our swords down. Every day more and more young people are falling into depression, poverty and despair. Every day, more of them feel that violence against themselves or others is the only way out. It's time for the army of God to arm ourselves and get back into battle.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can

take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

The armor of God mainly includes defensive armor; except the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. So, let's use the Word in our prayer, knocking down strongholds. Let's stand on truth and fight for the lost. The Word is living and active. The Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It is the truth and the truth will set them free.

On his weekly boys call last night, Eddie and the youth talked about the factors that draw young people to gangs and what they can do to reverse the trend of violence. They discussed reaching out to friends who are from broken homes, of embracing those who appear to be slipping through the cracks. One young leader led the group in prayer for the affected families and prayer for this generation of teens who are lost and looking for rescue.

We, as a church, have a role in beating back the darkness. It's not to rail against government or hide in our pews. We are called to be a light, to pull others out of the quicksand they find themselves in. We are called to share The Word, to use it to pierce the darkness and take back those who have been kept hostage to sin. Will you arm up and join the rescue mission

Empty Hands, Open Heart

I had a talk with our 11 year old daughter this evening. Earlier, the family had taken a new family photo to send to our friends and family who support us here on the mission field. Brooklyn, ever one to emote, told me she feels bad that people are supporting us financially and she's not "doing anything." I admit to having felt the same insecurities that she is grappling with.

What followed was a conversation about the impact we make on people's lives, the challenge of life not living up to our expectations, and the frustration of living in a pandemic. These issues and more haunt all of us, I expect.

At different times in my life, I've often felt like I didn't have anything to give, or that my contribution was paltry; as a broke college student, single missionary, newly-wed, young mother, working mother, foster parent...Do you see a trend? In each season I questioned my impact. Each time I had little to give, but offered it nonetheless. Whether or not I eventually saw the fruit of my labor, I came to acknowledge that my contribution, partnered with God's power was more than enough.

Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

As Christians, we won't always have the thing people are asking for; the handout, the job, the shortcut to easy street. As a missionary, I often feel so empty-handed when needs arise. But, Peter's story reminds me that every encounter is an opportunity for God to use me to heal, encourage, restore. I may not have silver or gold, but I have hope and joy and love. I have a Savior and a reason to keep going. Let that be our mantra, let that awaken our expectations and open our hearts to be difference-makers, world changers in big ways and small. Empty hands, yet open hearts.

Losing My Religion

At this week's youth group meeting, Eddie told the teens that the Gospel is not about doing the rules right, living right or earning our salvation. The beauty of the Gospel is that only God is perfect and our belief in Him allows us to be right with Him, regardless of how good or bad we think we are.

Eddie talked about how Abram was "right with God" before there was any such thing as the Ten Commandments or a temple, or even a nation of Israel. His righteousness was based on his belief in God, that's it. When Jesus healed the woman with the blood condition, she in fact had been breaking Jewish law to touch him while she bled. Jesus saw her and said, "Your faith has healed you." He touched lepers, he ate and healed on Sabbath, time and again Jesus showed that the restrictions of religion didn't hold the power of healing or life- He did.

Hosea 6:6 TLB

“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love;

I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me."

In the desert, the Israelites were wooed and tended to by God. They relied wholly on His provision, on His presence and protection. It took a generation, but when they finally entered the Promised Land, they were a people set apart for intimacy with their God. Four thousand years passed between the Exodus and Jesus arriving on the scene. Four thousand years for a people betrothed to God to lose the point of their assignment. Four thousand years to obsess about the law, replacing relationship with religion.

Here we are, two thousand years since Jesus' ascension. Have we done the same? Are we more dedicated to studying the Word than living it? Does our sense of morality, or our rights, dictate our actions more than the still, small voice of the Spirit? Are we more comfortable with the prescribed recipe of modern church services than baring our hearts to our Savior?

The early church didn't have hymnals, seminary or Strong's Concordance to rely upon. They met in homes, not cathedrals or chapels like we do today. The first Christians relied on the example of Jesus' life and the Spirit to know how to love -and live for- God in their day to day lives. This bare-bones relationship-based faith spread like wildfire, and no wonder!

How much of the expression of our faith is tied to the trappings of religious observance? Can we sing a new song unto the Lord without a 6 piece worship band leading us? Can we confess our sins without an altar call? Can we learn how to love God for who He is, rather than working tirelessly to appease Him? In these ways, and many more, I am searching my heart and motivations and slowly, but surely, I'm losing my religion.