By Jonathan Camiolo

 

When I was in Tanzania on a mission trip in 2001 I was amazed at how little someone could have and how happy they could be.  They were more attentive to those around them, smiled more and seemed much more willing to be generous with whatever they had.  The values were different; people mattered more than things.  It might have been because that’s all they had, but they did not seem to be unhappy because of the things they lacked.  I am not sure they were even aware.  I was…and the other missionaries I was with did.

 

We have it all.  I have it all.  I might not have a BMW, and I might not have a black American Express, and I do not have a crazy expense account to eat out on all the time, but I do live a blessed life.  Most Americans and most people in the Western world have more than we need, and have opportunities to get what we want.  There is still the poor and struggling for sure, but we have become accustomed to a lifestyle that takes a lot of life’s basics for granted and the opportunities that surround us for sure.  

 

One other thing I noticed in Tanzania was the deep faith and desire for God in the hearts of so many.  Churches were packed, alive and people were enthusiastic. They put my faith to shame.  I was humbled in their presence.  In the Second Reading we read, “Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.”

 

Have we become so busy and consumed with our things, activities and accomplishments that we have forgotten God?  Have we taken all the blessing He has given us and begun to believe that they come from us, or that we deserve them?  I know I have in some ways.  It is time to think and reflect on our attitudes…maybe we should step back and remember that all comes from God as a blessing.  If we can be humble before God, and boast in what He has done for us, we could not possibly forget Him or take Him for granted.  What do you think?  Think. Pray. Decide. Change.  

 

God loves you more than you can imagine!  Pray for me and know I am praying for you!