Some facts for you to chew over...
- 1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity:
- Some 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation..
- Number of children in the world: 2.2 billion - number in poverty: 1 billion (every second child)
- The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (567 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people combined.
Like me, faced with this you’re probably thinking, it’s awful but what exactly am I supposed to do?
I want to tell you about a girl named Esther. She was very beautiful and, when the King of her country became displeased with his Queen, she was taken along with many others to be presented to the king. The king, whose name was Xerxes, was so pleased with her that he chose her to be Queen.
From obscurity in a remote village to most pampered woman in the land in a very short space of time.
Whilst she is Queen, she hears of a political plot, born of a personal vendetta, that would wipe out her people, the Jews.
The problem is that the law of the land meant that by speaking to the King directly she could lose her life. But she can’t just stand by and let it happen… can she? What to do? Then she has a conversation with her cousin about her dilemma, and he tells her, ‘who knows? Maybe you were made Queen for such a time as this?’ And the rest, as they say, is history, as the Jewish people were saved and Esther's heriocs are still celebrated to this day at the festival of Purim.
Nelson Mandela, speaking in Trafalgar Square in 2005, told young people that they had the chance to be 'the greatest generation' -
and I believe with all my heart that actually he was right. Not just that, but also that we were all 'born for such a time as this' - that God has things to accomplish through us that only we can do. So...
What will you do with your time?
Will you act in a way that has no thought for consequences?
Will you act selfishly or act as a voice for the voiceless?
Sign petitions, go to protest rallies, start school initiatives, use your talents for the benefit of others, volunteer to sort out the recycling at home, educate yourself about how all these things are linked – remember that those numbers are people, don't forget them, and TELL OTHERS.
YOU were born for such a time as this.
The last word goes to God...
‘Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly before God’ – Micah 6:8
check out these links to get you started on your hunt for education and info...
www.en.cop15.dk - about the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/Countdown-to-Copenhagen-climate-change/climate-march-london.aspx - what is The Wave?
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats - poverty facts and stats
let me know if you find any other good links...
bless ya
matt
:0)-