Eyes to SeeSample

Looking at all the hard stuff going on in the world, it’s easy to get tunnel vision—to start thinking everything is going to pieces. But as we read on day four, progress is being made in ending extreme poverty. While God is at work behind the scenes using economics and politics, we also recognize that He calls for a deeper solution to the complex roots of poverty. And we see that deeper solution in the person of Jesus.

Just as the actions of Adam and Eve brought sin, broken relationships, and death, so the actions of one man, Jesus, have resulted in life for all people.

The death and resurrection of Jesus have the power to transform and heal these broken relationships that are at the heart of poverty. When our relationship with God is mended, we can put the needs of others before our own. We begin to see injustice and oppression the way God does. When our relationship with ourselves, with others, and even creation is healed, we work towards restoration and see that real change and reconciliation are possible.

This transformation that God brings has many different faces.

It can look like Patience, who lost her entire family to HIV/AIDs and grew up in poverty and abuse. A local church and Compassion centre taught her what living for truth and Jesus looks like, and now, she works in local government to fight unjust systems and corruption so that others do not live as she did.

It can look like Simon in Canada. Due to his gang involvement, he lost a limb and was imprisoned. Upon release, he was addicted to heroin and unable to work. A local church invited him to belong to their community. Seven years later, he was baptized, sober, working, and grateful that God delivered him.

It can also look like Ana, a young woman in Guatemala. After the trauma of sexual violence against her at a young age, she felt unworthy, ugly, and unwanted. She joined a gang so she wouldn’t be vulnerable again. It wasn’t until she heard the gospel that she realized she had worth. She says, “I thought I was trash, but I am not. I learned that I have love in my heart.” Ana began to believe that she could change and that God wanted good things for her life.

God is busy reconciling all things to Himself. In stories like Patience, Simon, and Ana’s, we see evidence that He truly can provide real, life-changing hope for all of us in all of our poverty.

Reflect:

How does knowing that the ultimate solution to poverty is rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus change your perspective on poverty?

Pray:

Lord, the roots of poverty are complex. Broken relationships too often litter our lives. But You hold all things together. You are our Creator, our Sustainer, and our Reconciler. You are our hope. Thank You for all You have done and are doing in our world. Amen.