Relief Reluctance

I saw a special on MTV the other day about the aftermath of the Tsunami in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand that was very well done. But it got me thinking. There have been two major disasters in the last few years that have had an impact on me—the terrorist hijack bombings on 9/11 and now this tsunami. Both times I have felt compelled to do something to help out. And I suppose it is fine to send money and pray, but I really have felt led to do more.

As I saw the MTV special, there were college kids in Thailand helping sort through the rubble to rebuild. I thought, “Why couldn’t that be me?” Then I remembered: I have a kid now. I have a wife. I have a job at the church. All these responsibilities are my top priority. I don’t begrudge them, because they do bring joy to my life. But I can’t help but think of Paul’s advice to those seeking marriage: “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:32).

It is not just marriage, but growing up, becoming an adult, living in the real world that bring about responsibilities that often hinder our ability to serve those in need. And I wonder, is the system flawed? Are we too engrained in our own selfishness that being an adult means being unable to really help out? Or do we just make excuses?

Either way, every time I see aid going to help out disasters it makes me think: “Why isn’t that me?”