Suffocated

Smothered

Stir crazy

Stifled

Suppressed

Restrained

Unsatisfied

Discontent

Take a step outside and look around you. What do you see? People hurting, searching, crying out for somebody to love them. A world full of poverty, heartache and ugliness. Girls selling themselves on the corner, people slaving themselves away for next to nothing in attempt to support their family, and babies not even being given a chance to start their lives.

Sitting here in my comfortable bed, with a full tummy and a carefree week on the horizon, there are times when I get a little bit frustrated. I am very content with where God has placed me, and where He directs my life-in plenty OR in want; however, I am not okay with the lack of impact my lifestyle makes. I want to lead a life that makes a difference, be it big or small. I feel that because God has blessed me with the freedom of this country and the excess materials I have been given, I have a responsibility to love and serve those around me, especially those who have less. Skimming over what I just wrote, it comes across as me wanting a life of recognition and legacy-but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. So to clarify: I simply want to live for others. I want every day to be spent helping those in need and truly loving on them. This is where I sometimes get aggravated. I feel like those who are the most in need aren’t always in reach. The starving babies in Africa, the homeless on the street... I have BEEN there, I know how desperate they are and how easy it is to love them-but Africa is half way around the world and going to talk to homeless people by myself? According to society I would be crazy to do that as a single, young female.

I end up throwing out the either lame excuses or practical thoughts (I have yet to decide what they are) of me being too busy working, going to school and resting to truly dedicate my life to serving others.

But what really matters? I could die any day, and what will I have done? There are people that ARE dying each day without ever having been loved by a fellow human being. There are people that are suffering miserably in illness, poverty, hunger, and despair...is it really necessary for me to reach “success” in this world before I can go out and help them?? I think that growing up in America has given me that mindset: first I need to ensure my own personal security and comfort, and THEN I will go out and help those who need it. Meanwhile, people are out there hanging on to their lives by a thread.

We have it so backwards. Ignore the cliché, but we are all in this together. Every human being is equally in need of our Savior, of His love, and of one another’s love. I just need to figure out the best way to show it.

“I wonder how so many can be in pain, while others don’t feel a thing?

In a world of suffering, why should I be so blessed?” –Brett Dennen, So Much More

“There ain’t no reason things are this way, its how they always been and they intend to stay.

I can’t explain why we live this way, we do it everyday.” –Brett Dennen, Ain’t No Reason