save darfur...if we have time.

today i just watched a documentary on the genocide that is going on in Darfur.  The main character in the film mentioned how hopeless he felt.  How naive he was to assume that the pictures he took in Darfur would have any impact on the resolution that would occur from our president.

The documentary also showed a rally that President Obama attended, and even spoke at.  He said he was going to do everything in his power to stop the genocide in Darfur.  At the end of the documentary, there was a link to send an email to Prez Obama, and this was one of the messages i saw:

Last year, Barack Obama pledged to bring peace to Darfur with "unstinting resolve."

Unstinting resolve huh?

So i sent my email and now post this blog hoping that it will allow me to fall asleep tonight (:-P).  But think about that; unstinting resolve, what does that even mean?  If Obama really wanted to stop this with unstinting resolve, wouldn't it be done?  Oh, it's easy for us all to say "yup, we are America, the biggest and bestest country in the US," but really, who is Obama?  I thought about that as i wrote my letter to him; expressing empathy that he has a lot on his plate.  i mean, he walked into an economic crisis, has people fighting for "pride", "choice", stop the war, fight the flu, etc, etc, etc.  So is Obama super man?  Does he have the ability to work 28 hours a day?  i mean, how much can he really do?  He still has the time restraints of a 24 hour day; requiring food, sleep, rest, etc.  What is really the most important issue that he should deal with?  Is it Darfur, is it the economic crisis?  

At the end of the letter i wrote to him, (which probably goes to some entry level college freshman) i asked what was most important.  We all ask him for something, but how much can he do?  At the end of the email, i said to him "Please take an honest look at where our focus is, and ask yourself if it is the most ethical use of time and resources possible. Are we promoting genocide by refusing to act against it? What is worse, the markets crashing or wives and children mercilessly being raped and murdered? I pray that we are doing what is right."  Deep right???

Nah, that letter was a rediculously stupid waste of time and energy.  Instead of asking Obama what he thinks is most important, i should be asking myself what is most important to me.  What are my priorities?  Do i want to run around and capture more "stuff"?  Do i want to spend my money on entertainment and going out to eat with friends?  Should i ask the President to resolve society's problems for me?  is it fair that i ask him to take time out of his busy schedule to help people in Darfur, when i still over indulge in the pleasures of life?  At the same time, is life meant to suck?  Am i suppose to refrain from enjoying what i have?  What is that balance?  When should i stop providing for myself, and start providing for others?  What is my duty as a citizen of earth? 

I don't know the answers to these things, but i do know that i was given a conscience for a reason.  When i feel like i'm not doing my part, that's probably when i should be doing more.  I need to find balance though, and make sure that i don't let guilt drive me, but that my passion is driven by a sense of compassion for others.  That i do these things because my cup is overfilling, and i am wasting resources if i don't share. 

young, dumb and full of... grandiose plans that probably won't ever pan out...

how does that phrase go?  young, dumb and full of... grandiose plans that probably won't ever pan out...

i lived in Milwaukee when i was 2 or 3, and one day decided that i wanted to see my dad who worked at a pet store.  So i walked over to my mom, put my hands on my hips, set my jaw, and said "i'm going to the store to see dad."  She looked down at me and said "well, mom is busy right now."  I said "that's okay, i'm going to go by myself.  i'll just ride my bike."

 

i can imagine the reaction my mom had; she probably broke out in laughter.  Here is a kid, standing shin high, telling his mom that he is going to ride his tricycle the 1/2 mile to his dad's store.  He doesn't know the direction, realize the hazards that innercity milwaukee brings, nor how to defend himself.  Yup, she probably keeled over in a fit of hysteria.  How can you react anyother way to a boy that is so naive? 

 

I was telling my pastor that the previous story highlights my walk with God, because i spend a lot of time trying to help God through creating plans and trying to do things my own way.  God is probably sitting on His thrown listening to my thoughts, and laughing out loud.  "Josh is going to help ME complete MY tasks???  That kid is going to be in a hospital bed in three years, recovering from his stress induced heart attack"

 

For some reason, i feel that i need to work hard to complete the tasks that God is planning, but God isn't concerned whether i help Him or not.  He built the universe, and can surely accomplish His task.   The thing i need to remember is that He cares about my integrity as a man.  My character and my relationship with Him.  He wants me to grow in a relationship, and refrain from sinning because i realize that it hurts that relationship.  He wants me to have the desire to donate my time and money, because i realize that He is the only one that loves me enough to completely sacrifice Himself for me, and i want to show my appreciation.  I want to share my blessings with others who are hurting.  When He does great things for me, and i turn around and fight Him and His protection, wouldn't that seem unfair/unjust/unethical?  Why would i want to continue harboring these selfish feelins and insults?  

Now you might think, "oh this is just another idea for the religious people," but it's not.  It doesn't matter if you are christian islam, jew, athiest, etc; people should strive to create a better world for their neighbor, because no one can play our part for us: we are all gifted with unique talents.  We are all given things in life that we can share with others who need it to survive.  Whether it's donating to the poor, joining big brothers/sisters, showing kindness/love to anyone you meet, etc.  I mean think about it; i am a white middle class american, which means that my life is better than 90+% of the world.  30k people starve to death everyday!   That means 200 people in the world just starved to death while you read this.  We have to play a part, we have to share, we have to work, we have to do something...IT'S IMPERATIVE!!!  

My point is not that we have to sit on our haunches and do nothing, nor is it that we have to spend every moment of our life working.  No, my point is that there is a fine line between playing your role, and racing to solve all the world's problems on your own.  You will burn out if you try to do it all yourself.  No one is self sufficient enough to solve their own problems, let alone the world's problems.  But what i lack in attention to the details, you might be able to assist me with.  What you lack in imagination, i might be able to assist you with.  It's about realizing your weaknesses, developing character and integrity, and then making that choice of whether you are on board or not.