ONCE UPON A TIME...

      I thought I was a pretty selfless person. I thought I looked a lot like Jesus. Then I read a book that completely changed my way of thinking. After reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, I realized just how greedy I am.

I learned that I am actually in the top three percent of the world's wealth, and that many people are really living in poverty while I'm complaining about being a "poor college student."  My idea of what "poor" actually is completely changed, and my heart was drawn towards the poor in this world.

I was challenged to get to really KNOW the man whom I believe is my Savior and my God. The more I read about Jesus, the more frustrated I became, because I realized how much the church has distorted the image of Jesus.

I wanted the church to focus more outward - on the people who don't know Jesus - rather than focusing so much inwardly on ourselves. I quickly became cynical of the church and of myself. I wanted to be more selfless, and I wanted the church to be more selfless, as well. But I didn't know where to start. I didn't know how to fix it.

… Until I met these teenagers in Pensecola, FL who were being the change they wished to see in the world. I met these awesome people on a simple spring break beach trip that I went on with some friends. We went to a church who was actually being the church. They were passionate about seeing change in the INJUSTICE of this world, and became angry as they grew more knowledgeable about the people in Africa that have to use impure water everyday, and the children there that go without shoes. They were also angry about their own friends, and the people all around them that had become hopeless enough to start cutting themselves.

They began selling their TVs, and using their musical and theatrical talents to raise money and awareness about these causes. They had the compassion of Jesus and were actually doing something to make Him look good.

We realized that these people don't have to be the only ones who are doing good things in the name of Jesus. My friends and I were inspired by these teenagers, and we started praying about what God wanted us to get passionate about.

And since then, we've been getting to know some homeless people - listening to them, feeding them, spending time with them, compassionately making them feel like they are actually people, and that they are loved. And I know that there will be more opportunities to come because we are still praying and making ourselves available.

I believe we need to act and do something about the injustice in this world.

I believe we can bring Heaven to earth by being the compassionate hands and feet of JESUS.