beside the point

hungry?

I’m starving. Like most Americans, I am trying to lose weight. I’m not that overweight (especially compared to some), but when I went in for my last physical, my doctor explained that my blood pressure was up a little since my previous visit, but that was most likely do to the fact that I’d put on some more weight. Thanks, doc.

So, in an effort to lose weight, I’m eating less. I’m not "dieting" per se, just trying to relearn healthy eating habits and portion sizes and trying to increase my physical activity. But at times, while my body is adjusting, it feels like I’m starving. That is until an article in the local paper reminded me of a tragic misuse of the word.

Twenty-five percent of the population of Niger - 3.3 million, including 800,000 children - is at risk right now of dying from starvation. Every year, 160,000 children under the age of 5 die of starvation, and 1 in 4 children never makes it to age 5. And Niger is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the world, people starve to death.

While we in the United States spend $30 billion a year on losing weight or trying to prevent weight gain, all while eating "Super Sized" portions of food that’s bad for us in the first place. We really have no concept of what it means to be hungry, much less starving. Even the poor in the United States have it pretty good compared to a lot of places. Even with all the recent discussion of those without health insurance in the States, most people can get at least rudimentary access to heath care. Not so in places like Niger where there are only 3.5 physicians and 22.9 nurses per 100,000 people. Africa is a place that's dear to my heart, but these tragedies occur all over the world.

Why isn’t this on the news everyday? Because it isn’t news. It’s an everyday fact of life. In the back of our minds, we know it happens, but we don’t like think about it. So we change the channel to something happier. I’m preaching to myself here as well. I’m just as guilty as anyone.

And the church should really be upset. Christ tells us that when we feed the hungry, we’re feeding Him. And when we do nothing, it’s bad news. I’m proud to be part of a church that contributes a sizable portion of it’s budget to missions, spreading the gospel not just with words, but with actions as well. James admonishes us, "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

I guess we need to listen to what we say we believe. Maybe you are involved in some way to help the hungry. If so, that’s awesome. If not, and you don’t know what to do, may I suggest visiting the Food for the Hungry website? There you can find out about the organization and how you can help. Samaritan’s Purse is another awesome organization that helps those in need throughout the world.

Second, talk to your local church. Find out what, if anything, they are doing to support the work of helping those in need along with the spread of the Gospel. Find out how you can help.

Finally, maybe we all need to become a little less cavalier with the use of the word starving. I know I do.

posted by Bryan @ 2:43 PM