In high school I worked a lot with the disabled community. For me, seeing life through their eyes opened me up to an entirely new approach to the world. I loved being around the kids I worked with and getting to know the stories they had, and the ways they saw the things around them. It also made me appreciate the little battles they faced everyday that I never realized I took advantage of.
My college town doesn’t have a great involvement opportunity with the disabled community, but I still wanted to get involved with people whose perspective differed from mine. I found myself signing a form to lead chapel night at the local homeless shelter. I honestly didn’t think anything of it aside from being worried I would try to move on my own instead of letting God move through me. As soon as I walked in something shifted.
I’m not sure what your experience is with homeless people, but mine is pretty minimal. I’d see a few people on the side of the road, maybe stop to give them a water bottle and ask to pray with them. But truly, that was it. For me, it was a quick moment in time. Being in a room filled with people who can’t find a place to live made it real. I mean really, think about it. There are 552,830 people in the United States that can’t sleep under the same roof each night.
From the whole experience, there was one thing I felt especially convicting. I didn’t do anything for the life I have right now. I didn’t spend my life working, I didn’t save up my money to get to where I am. I was just blessed to be born into a family that would support me. Sure, I could argue I put work into learning in high school to get into a good college. But even then, I had parents who would pay for tutors, I knew I would always have food on the table so I could worry about a calculus grade instead of dinner, I didn’t need a job so I had that much more time to get things done and I never worried that things would change.
I think everyone can get into this mindset every once in a while. We can believe we’re entitled to our blessed circumstances. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but really what did you do to get to where you are? I have friends who are paying for college themselves, friends who dedicated themselves to sports and got scholarships. I know people who worked all of high school. And maybe that’s your answer — and if it is I’m proud of you. But if you fall into the same category as me, consider for a second how blessed you are.
Now hold onto that for just a second longer. “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same,” Luke 3:11. I’m so guilty of this, but think of all the things you have access to that you take advantage of. Think of all the money you spend in unnecessary ways. Now, think of all the people who don’t even have enough money for a bottle of water at the dollar store.
I’d say I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life. Private education, private neighborhood, you know the story. It’s in these moments where I really see the world for what it is, broken, that I realize how little I do for others. Let me say that again. Our world is broken. Are you changing that?
This isn’t just about homelessness either. The other day I was talking to my roommate about murder and she almost cried when I told her the reality of murder in the United States. Roughly 57 people, murdered, every single day. People’s moms, dads, siblings, children. Dead.
I read a statistic once about the amount of human trafficking and slave labor that goes into making things that are mass produced in the United States. The shirt you’re wearing right now, and admittedly I am too, that says “made in Indonesia” took 20 enslaved laborers to make. This includes people who were kidnapped and sent into slavery and children whose families need them to work all day for 5 cents an hour.
So, I ask again, how are you going to make a difference? Posting a 24 hour instagram story doesn’t count. If human trafficking is hard for you to stomach, when was the last time you looked at a website’s trade laws? Went thrifting? If you don’t like homelessness or poverty, try finding an organization to volunteer with or donate to. Try spending less on frivolous things and using that money for people who depend on it. If violence is where your heart is drawn to, gen involved in organizations like the National Center for Victims of Crime or volunteer at a local jail to try to make a difference in just one person’s life.
Maybe there’s something I didn’t mention that you feel called to impact. Just do it. Take a step to make a difference. I would argue that for the most part all people agree the world has injustices. Differences in what we think begin to arise when laws, economics, etc. gets involved. I think it’s a good thing people have different opinions but I think its ignorant to form an opinion on the brokenness of the world and sit back hoping politicians will fix it. That is usually not the case. Can I save the world? No. Can the two of us together save it? Sadly, also no. But can I influence you to influence your neighbor, and them to influence theirs? Yes, and that can start changing things.
I would encourage everyone to break out of your bubble. The bubble of private education, or safe hometown, or like-mindedness. Let yourself open up to the reality of the world. And let loose of the reins a little bit and make a step with God. We all have gifts, and we’re all called to use them. Let them make a difference. You can’t save the world alone, the same way I can’t. But if everyone took one step to make a difference, something would change. Take your step, encourage others to join in, and honestly just stay informed. There’s more evil in the world than I will ever be able to comprehend. There’s no point where I think I could say “Yea, that’s enough of a difference making, I’m all set”. There’s too much wrong in the world to give up on trying to make things right. Accept my invite, take that first step, make a small change, and invite someone else into action to repeat the cycle.