"I will not apologize for being passionate about being a voice for women living in extreme poverty and escaping sex trafficking."
However, this question did cause me to pause and reflect on the depth of that passion, what I have learned in the past two years, and a whole host of other thoughts that swirled around inside my head. I realized that my life changed drastically back in March of 2018. Sometimes I feel like its barely recognizable. Just two short years ago, I was a mom with 5 kids that were all under 11 years old. My days were filled with feeding, educating, and caring for these little ones 24/7. This was my life. My happy little world that I was content to live within with no cares outside of my growing family. I rarely gave thought to the plight of women and children around the world and was blissful in my ignorance. Then through a series of seemingly unrelated paths, God led me to a group of people who live their life passionately for the plight of those less fortunate and work tirelessly to fight the injustices that cover our globe. These women (and a few men!) live with their eyes wide open to the horrors of the world and have bravely said, "Not on my watch! I will not stand by silently and allow apathy to allow inaction." It was because of their declarations to do SOMETHING and their follow through to pursue something beyond themselves that gave me the encouragement to do the same and helped me to find my voice. Not a voice that will scream, "I am the way I am and you have to accept me because I'm unwilling to change." But a voice that says, "I will not be silent while HER voice is silenced. I will not keep silent because it makes you uncomfortable." We have lived a life of comfort, albeit a false facade, for far too long. We have to be willing to make ourselves and others uncomfortable to bring comfort to others. This is the GOSPEL at its very core.
"True spirituality that is pure in the eyes of our Father God is to make a difference in the lives of orphans, and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world's values."
-James 1:27 TPT
Are you willing to be temporarily uncomfortable to help bring comfort to a stranger? It's not easy, it's definitely not comfortable, and it WILL cause you to grow and stretch beyond what you thought you were capable of. But maybe, just maybe, it will help to shape you into exactly the person you were created to be. If you feel like you're stumbling along your life's journey without passion and purpose, I challenge you to do something for others. Maybe that's educating yourself on the horrors of extreme poverty, slums, sweatshops, and sex trafficking. Maybe that looks like taking a step back from fast fashion and stepping into the world of fair trade. Maybe that looks like dipping your toe into the waters of being a voice by sharing the good work that others are doing on the front lines with your family and friends. Maybe that means being an unapologetic voice and screaming from the mountaintops, "I will not be silent and turn a blind eye any longer!" Where ever you are and where ever He is leading your heart, I invite you to take a step. Step out of your comfort zone and into your destiny. He's ready and willing to grab your hand and lead you straight into His heart. And I'll be here to hold your other hand and share what I have learned along my journey to laying my own life down for those less fortunate. It's a beautiful journey, a little rugged and less often taken, but a beautiful journey nonetheless.
Follow me and my journey at the links below:
Facebook: bit.ly/OurCollectiveHope
Instagram: @our_collective_hope
