Good morning friends, it has been a while since posting Justice Friday posts, but I am very excited to be back in a place where I can continue posting them. The reason for the break was that I felt I was posting on stuff that I am not currently involved in outside of teaching and passion. I got tired of talking about poverty, trafficking, water issues, etc. while sitting in my house or office and not walking it out. My prayer and plan is that this would change now.
Last week I was speaking on a YWAM school in Winnipeg on the topic of Justice and Calling. On the Thursday we were talking about poverty and had an application day. We split the staff and students into 3 groups, one representing poverty, one water and one hunger. Jamie Arpin-Ricci who runs the base with his wife Kim represented the rich white dude who does whatever he wants, haha.
The poverty group went through the day only owning a cup and a plate/bowl. They had to borrow everything else. Shoes, toothbrush, pen, bible, etc. The water group could not use water all day. Not for washing their face, flushing the toilet, drinking, teeth brushing, etc. And the food group did not eat, but were at all the meals. It was easy to do at first, but then we started realizing how much we take these things that we have in our lives for granted. One girl had to take some pills and realized that she couldn’t use water to wash them down, she did anyway as she didn’t know of any other way. That night, for supper we all sat down at a set table with paper on the plates giving statistics of food, water and poverty. We talked and prayed, it was beautiful.
The poverty day made a huge impact on me. I realized how much I have and how I take so much for granted. I am going to make it a regular practice to sacrifice one thing each Thursday and go through the day thinking differently. Yesterday I didn’t spend any money, it was surprisingly hard. We had friends over for dinner and we used what was in the house. I wanted to buy good beer for them as they have been walking through some hard times and good beer helps, but we went without as I was not spending and had no brew in the house. I want God to continually change me and draw me to Him and the things that are on the forefront of His heart and mind.
I challenge you to make sacrifice a regular practice in your life. It really brings out our hearts and intentions. Thanks for stopping by and reading. Have a great day.
Good post Phil. What a great idea! I’d like to try this with my church youth group. I also love your idea of giving up something each week.
Thanks Clayre, yea it is not fun nor convenient, but why should life be all the time anyway. How was the run?
There’s something magical about faith in action… I think this is what James meant when he wrote that faith without works is dead. Love that you’re doing this and I bet it’s transformative for you… and I love that it makes me feel a bit like a schmuck, ‘cuz I need to put my faith into more action today… as C.S. Lewis says, “onward and upward!”
Cheers my man Craig.
Loved my time there too…the group is great. You’re a tough act to follow! They loved your week. Great post.
It’s good to have you back – loved your post. I think I’ll take you up on that challenge : ) I too often forget.
thanks Carrie and Chris. Laters friends.