My lunch break today was something else…I sat with a few friends of mine, some students and some coworkers, and shortly found ourselves talking about activism. We came across the subject when someone said that they grow tired of it, wishing that all of the different activist organizations would join together, stop their need to make their cause more important, and share resources. He indicated that it’s hard to be pulled in so many directions and thus he grows tired of (I think burdened by) social activism. In the way he described it…I don’t think any of us can argue with that. Others at the table indicated how it would be nice for activism groups to be “really good at fixing one thing” and another stated that he wrestles with the priors feelings and the conviction of needing to be a part of the solution.

Truth be told, there is a lot to fix in the world. There are so many needs.

Let me raise a question…

In a world where I can:

sit in a well lit, well heated room - drink a well brewed, well sweetened cup of coffee - eat a well made, fresh sandwich - talk on my cell phone - type on a computer - drive a running car - afford my own apartment - read - write - be educated - be cared for physically, emotionally, spiritually - work - breathe clean air - drink clean water - clean myself - etc. etc. etc., 

is it ever really okay for me to grow “tired” of social activism? I don’t think it is. I don’t think we have an excuse. I am learning to not be all about the saying “to each his own”, that each persons reality is their reality and what is hard for one may be easy for another. This isn’t about what is easy for one and hard for another. Just because I don’t have to worry about not having all of those things listed above doesn’t mean the worries I do have are just as important. 

This is something I am learning daily. I don’t know why God is teaching this to me now. I don’t know what I haven’t felt conviction like this before. Regardless. If you think I am preaching to you, I’m preaching to myself too. Really, I am.

In a world where the 20 year olds working 10 hours a week for 8 dollars an hour at the school where I work, are richer than 85% of the world….where I am richer than 92% of the world…I don’t think we get a hall pass on being “tired” of social activism. 

I just don’t.

http://worldrichlist.com/ provided the % facts.