What’s my Responsibility?


We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. – Romans 15:1

“So what is our responsibility to Hugo, Antara, and the millions of AIDS orphans?” This is a question I asked Steph as we were on a plane from Miami to Indianapolis on Friday.

The week prior, we had met Hugo. Hugo is a Mexican living in Cozumel. We spent some time talking with Hugo as he shared about his life and the challenges of living. I was compelled to do something but didn’t know what it was. We also met Antara from Bali. He had left his family and two young children in Bali in order to make money in the US and send it to them to live. His working here was a matter of survival for his family. Nevermind that he doesn’t see them for 7 months at a time.

Friday was also World AIDS Day. It is estimated that in 4 years, the number of AIDS orphans will be 25 million plus.

I just looked at Steph and asked the question. Neither of us had an answer.

Romans says that we are to bear with the failings of the week. I sense that God is waking me up for some harsh looks at the state of the week. Next month I will spend a week in New Orleans helping to rebuild from Katrina. In March I will be in Guatemala with orphans. I’m not sure the journey ahead will be pleasant. I’m not sure that it is meant to be.

God, in this journey I sense that you are opening my eyes to some significant weakness of our world. I am willing to do what is needed. I am willing to bear with the weak. I’m just not sure how to do that.

[tags]World AIDS day, AIDS orphans, devotions, Katrina, Guatemala, serving, poor, God, Romans, Bible[/tags]

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