Living on $1.25 a day - because it's not about me.

PHOTO TAKEN BY MARK SHERMAN IN RURAL TANZANIA, AFRICA.

TODAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY, WHICH MEANS LENT SEASON IS UPON US.

Today begins a season of self-examination; a time to observe the fact that every person who ever lived has and will return to dust upon their last breath. It's sobering, humbling, and an opportunity to participate in something much larger than ourselves - looking forward to Easter, when Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day to bring new Life, new Hope, a new Reality. To be our Bread and Water so we may never hunger or thirst again. For the next 40 days, people all across the world join together in all our imperfections to realize what is most important in the journey of life. Though typically known as a Catholic tradition, I believe many Protestants are finding the significance of this great tradition. This will be the second Lent I will participate actively in. Keep reading to see why.

TODAY WE REMEMBER WHAT WE, THE HUMAN RACE, HAVE IN COMMON - AND WHAT WE DO NOT.

Though we all have the right to be free, to choose, to worship, and to dream -- the fact is that billions of people currently walking on this planet with us are living in extreme poverty. 1.2 billion people still live their entire lives on less than $1.25/day.

TODAY, AND FOR THE NEXT 40 DAYS, MY RESPONSE TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE IN EXTREME POVERTY IS TO LIVE ON LESS THAN $1.25/DAY.

Our brothers and sisters in our own backyards and around the globe do not have the luxury of "sacrificing" things for a season - it's their only choice. They have no plan b, and no quick fix to rising out of their situations. Therefore I do not want you to think I'm doing something great - it's not about me. It's about them. It's about us, and Jesus. We belong to one another, and we ought to stand together and sacrifice what we can - to live simply so others may simply live. You see, it's the choices of the affluent that greatly affect the forgotten, the marginalized, the discarded, the overlooked. Jesus made it quite clear how he felt about the "last", and how the "firsts" must respond by giving joyfully and serving wholeheartedly. But do we ignore that part of Scripture? I used to. For a while I even highlighted those Scriptures but closed the Bible and went to dinner and a movie.

TODAY, I CHOOSE TO STOP. TO LOOK FOR THE OVERLOOKED. TO REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN. AND TO PRAY FOR MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS CURRENTLY LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY. 

Though I must continue to work, to pay for rent, gas, utilities, and phone bill -- I can still give up a few extra bites of food and drops of coffee & wine to identify with the plight of the poor. I can still take time to remember and pray for the billions of people who can't turn on water (hot or cold), flush a toilet, sleep safely in a bed at night, or heal from physical, emotional, and spiritual brokenness. The list goes on. So by living on $1.25/day, I'm talking about food & drink. It's not a lot -- But it's a start.

WOULD YOU JOIN ME THIS LENT SEASON BY CHOOSING TO GIVE UP SOMETHING FOR THE POOR, AND TO REMEMBER THAT JESUS CAME TO SHOW US ANOTHER WAY, WHETHER IN CALIFORNIA OR KAZAKHSTAN; HAVE NO HOME OR THREE HOMES; OR SLEEP IN A MANSION OR MUD HUT?

BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. 

OR YOU. 

IT'S ABOUT US. AND JESUS.

“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?

7 

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 them,

    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9 

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

ISAIAH 58:6-9

If you have any thoughts about this post, or reflections/suggestions/things you are doing this lent season, I'd love to hear from you. Be sure to follow or sign up to receive emails above if interested in reading future posts...

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