Halloween is fast approaching. Each year you can expect certain things to accompany Halloween: Fireworks, children dressed up as this year's most popular Disney character, sugar highs, lots of noise, and chocolate and candy sales reaching ridiculous levels. While it can be a fun event, with lots of excitement for small children, I want to talk a little about this ridiculous amount of candy. When I say ridiculous, I do mean ridiculous. In the United States alone, almost 600 million pounds of candy is purchased each year at this time.1 600 MILLION POUNDS!
Not only is that worrying for health reasons, but also for economic reasons. When you go to purchase your 200 or so candy bars for the imminent trick-or-treaters, what's the first question you ask? I'd be willing to bet it's something along the lines of "Where can I buy the most Halloween candy for the least amount of money?"
As a thrifty shopper myself, I applaud you for making smart decisions with your finances. The problem is, you are one of millions of people who ask this question each year. And if millions of people are looking for cheap chocolate, thousands of companies are looking for ways to sell it at the cheapest price possible, and forcing producers to make it at the cheapest price possible. And where do they cut expenses? Labour.
The majority of the world's cocoa production takes place in West Africa. And the scary truth is, here it is often children who are responsible for making our chocolate. Kids, just like the ones who will dress up as Elsa or a Stormtrooper and come knocking on your door on Halloween night, are forced to work long hours doing dangerous work, for little or no pay, just so that we can save a few bucks on our chocolate.2
But we can change this system. I know it sounds like a lofty goal, but it's true. You and I together have the power to change how this works. And it's pretty simple. All we have to do is show the big candy corporations that it's not what we want. And how do we do that? By purchasing candy and chocolate that is produced in an ethical way, by fully grown adults who get paid a fair wage and work in a safe environment.
Now you may be thinking: "this sounds expensive." And I'll be honest, yes, it will be more expensive than you're used to. But the truth is, even if you don't think so, you are rich. In fact, there's a good chance that if you're reading this you are richer than the majority of the people in the world. In reality, you may end up paying about $10 more for fairly traded or ethically made candy than you would for Nestle or Hershey's. $10. That's two less coffees this week. One less t-shirt for your seven year-old (which was also probably made by children if it's only $10 - but we'll save that for another time.) One movie ticket. One-quarter of your family's next meal out. Doesn't sound like a lot now, does it?
Next you may be thinking that it sounds inconvenient. Where do we find this candy? Well, that's why I'm here! Here's a list of ideas to replace the chocolate you usually purchase, so that you can hand out a less scary treat this Halloween:
1. Bug Bite Squares from Endangered Species.
These pre-wrapped mini chocolate squares are made with ethically traded and sustainably grown cocoa, and as a plus for those kids out there with allergies and dietary restrictions, are certified gluten free, kosher, and free of GMOs. They can be found on Amazon.ca as well.
2. Equal Exchange also does Halloween kits, with mini chocolate bars all wrapped up and ready to go. You can find them on their website at http://shop.equalexchange.coop/organic-chocolate-minis-halloween.html
3. Buy something other than chocolate. Lollipops, skittles, etc. Chocolate is by far the worst offender when if comes to slave and child labour in the candy department, so find another sugary snack to hand out to the local trick-or-treaters.
4. Go for something other than candy! These days kids have so many allergies, and get so much sugar already, why not give them something unique? Hand out bouncy balls, colouring pages, pencils, stickers, etc. I'm sure their parents will thank you!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Monday, September 7, 2015
Less is More.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I like clothes... quite a lot. In fact, I would almost be willing to say an unhealthy amount. When I have money to spend, my first reaction is to go buy new clothes. I'm sure some of your are judging me for this, or maybe psycho analyzing me, or thinking very stereotypical thoughts about women right now. In whichever case, I write this only to say that one of the reasons I began looking into clothing companies and their supply chains is because I give a lot of my money to clothing companies. The problem, though, with analyzing mainstream, fast fashion clothing brands and their production lines is, while many of them have policies which sound fantastic, in practice, they are often doing much less than they say they are. It's really difficult to be 100% sure that no one is being harmed in the making of your clothes unless you're buying fair trade.
I've been struggling with this idea for a few months now, and between it, the conviction that maybe I'm storing up treasure on earth and valuing temporary things rather than storing up treasure in Heaven, and inspiration from another young woman I follow on Instagram who is living out justice by purchasing fair trade and thrifted items, has led me to believe it's time to make a change in my wardrobe, in my spending habits, and in my life.
When I considered the appeal of clothes shopping the other day, I realized that it is actually a very selfish act. I can say that I'm helping people make an honest living by supporting companies that are treating their employees well (and I do believe I am), but really I go shopping to find things I want and I like so I can look a certain way. Then three months later I clean out my closet and think, maybe having 16 dresses, 35 t-shirts, 7 jackets and 12 sweaters is a little excessive.
This week, I am learning that less is more. Having more clothing doesn't make me any happier or make me buy less. So I emptied my closet, made a pile of timeless, neutral pieces that I can wear throughout the year and in many different circumstances, and a pile of everything else. I am choosing to base my closet, and hopefully soon after every other area of my life, off of needs rather than wants. I need to wear clothes, I don't need a different outfit for every day of the month. I need some clothes for warm days and some for cold days, I don't need 7 jackets, 12 sweaters and 6 pairs of shorts. From now on when I shop, I will ask myself, do I need this more than what I already have?
Our culture promotes the mantra that more is more. The more we have, the better we are. And I've bought into it. It's difficult not to, when the media, society and sometimes even your friends are telling you that you need more stuff. But I can't help but wonder if we're just trying to placate a need that can't be met with material things, and as we accumulate more, we drown out and push aside the One that will actually meet that need. Not to mention mass accumulation is terrible for the environment and just serves to make exploitation of the vulnerable easier and more necessary.
In my own experience, having more tends to lead to apathy. It's almost like we sacrifice the part of our soul that cries out for something greater than this world when we settle for having the things of this world. So I'm getting rid of the excess. I'm sacrificing the things of the world, because I want that part of my soul back.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Consume Good.
It’s been more than two years since a garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,000 textile workers. It’s been more than two years since the world responded to this tragedy with outrage, unable to believe that companies could risk the lives of their workers as if they were worth nothing. It’s been more than two years, and very little has changed, either for the workers in Bangladesh, or for the consumers.
I became interested in how the people who made my consumer products were treated a few years ago, but it’s really been in the last year or so that I’ve let this information really affect my actions. I’ve tried hard to find information about where products were coming from, who made them and in what conditions, and I’ve done what I could to avoid supporting companies that don’t seem to care about the people who work long hours making their products.
But I think it’s time to get positive. While many companies have done very little to improve conditions for their workers, many others have developed business models that improve the lives of their employees. Hundreds of companies have become disillusioned with fast fashion and have found new and innovative ways to make consumer products, while simultaneously empowering the workers. So rather than talk about the injustices being done, today I’m going to celebrate 5 companies that are working hard for justice in their supply chains.
Patagonia. (http://www.patagonia.com/ca/shop/fair?k=54)
The activewear retailer, which can be found in most outdoor stores, developed a Fair Trade certified fashion line in May 2014. As of spring 2015, this Fair Trade line of clothing offers activewear for both men and women, men’s underwear, women’s apparel, as well as baby clothing. Most of this line is made in a Fair Trade Certified sewing facility, meaning the men and women making these pieces are working reasonable hours, in safe conditions, with reasonable pay. Other pieces in the collection are made with Fair Trade Certified cotton. Cotton is infamous for the use of children and slave labour in the picking process, so this is a huge step in the right direction.
NOVICA. (http://www.novica.com/)
This National Geographic associated line of apparel and accessories gives artisans from around the world, who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance, the opportunity to sell their goods on the international market. NOVICA has regional support teams that help these artisans with everything from product development, to business development to make their business successful. They also offer microcredit loans, allowing many of these artisans to create a sustainable business, and in turn benefit their local economy. To date, NOVICA has supplied artisans with over $62 million.
Stone + Cloth. (http://www.stoneandcloth.com/)
Being part of JustUs, a team made up of people who believe a quality education has the ability to empower children and give them opportunities they could otherwise only dream of, and having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro myself, this social enterprise really excited me. Stone + cloth was created by Matthew Clough, who while connecting with his porter, Benson, on his trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro, learned that Benson doesn’t earn enough money to put his child through school. Matthew Clough decided to use his talent for design and create “the Benson Bag.” Proceeds from all stone + cloth bags help to provide scholarships for children in Tanzania through partnership with a non-profit organization called The Knock Foundation (http://www.knockfoundation.org/).
Dignify. (http://www.shopdignify.com/)
Most well-known for their fair trade “kantha quilts”, which are hand-stitched, and made from reclaimed sari cloth, dignify offers women living in poverty a second chance. All the women employed in creating their quilts were previously living on the street or engaged in the sex trade. These women are now able to make a fair, sustainable income in a safe environment.
IOU. (http://iouproject.com/)
This clothing company is using technology to create a unique system, which connects the consumer directly to the people involved in making their goods. Rather than have clothing mass produced in an environmentally unfriendly way, by machines that take jobs away from people, IOU’s products are individually hand-made. When you order a piece of clothing through IOU’s website, you’re sent a tracking number, which gives you the ability to follow your article of clothing from the weaving stage, through the production stage, all the way to your doorstep. As a consumer, you get to know the name and story of the craftsman and the designer behind your purchase, and since there are no other manufacturing costs involved, such as machine maintenance and factory rent, more revenue goes to the people who made your product.
While many companies have stubbornly refused to change the system which benefits them and harms their workers, others have innovatively found way to make our consumer goods benefit those who make them. These companies have created a way to provide a sustainable living wage for those who are daily threatened by poverty, and give them opportunities that are not readily available to most of today’s textile workers. The companies featured here are just five of hundreds that are working to provide ethically made consumer goods, so that we can stop contributing to the systematic enslavement of textile workers, and feel good about the products we buy.
Everything we buy was made by someone, working hard to provide for themselves and their families. I believe that these people deserve to be treated fairly, and have a job that will enhance their living standards, not make them worse. These five companies, and many others, share this belief, and are working to make it a reality. They’re doing justice and creating good through their supply chains, empowering their workers rather than enslaving them. Let’s join them, and choose to consume good.
*Most of the information in this blog has been found on the website of the individual brands, and on www.thegoodtrade.com. Check out their website for more really awesome brands that are doing great things!
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
"The Risky, Revolutionary Path of JustUs Thinking" By Louise Reilly
A good friend of mine recently wrote a great piece on "other" thinking, and the beautiful reaction of the families of those killed in the Charleston shooting. It was too good not to have it more widely circulated, so I am proud to feature my dear friend and colleague, Louise Reilly, as a guest blogger:
I have a confession to make – and I’m not proud of it. Something troubling goes on in my subconscious when I hear (it seems on a daily basis) of the latest tragedy or atrocity that has taken place in our broken world. My first reaction is, as for all of us, shock or sadness or disbelief or anger or confusion. The events that take place in our world today are heart-breakingly mind-blowingly difficult to get our heads around, and my head can often do little more than breathe out a sigh of weary lament.
My second reaction – which seeps in often unnoticed, as a reflex reaction to any sign of threat or danger – is what troubles me. In an attempt to reassure myself that the news I have just heard is something that could never happen to me or those I love, I find myself subconsciously trying to work out the differences in our stories; the factors and circumstances that mean I need not worry. The trouble with this is that instead of focusing on our common humanity – on the truth that there is no other, there is just us – I am focusing on difference, on turning people to “them”, simply for the sake of feeling more secure. With every fibre of my being, I do not believe that we are in any way different. But for a fleeting moment, when a breaking news story feels a little too close to home, I often allow my mind to wander into this territory.
Each member of the JustUs team, myself included, believes strongly that a “them and us” mentality is one of the biggest hindrances to each of us truly becoming justice bearers. Only when we truly understand and live into the truth that every single human being is made in the image of God, and has equal value, worth, and dignity, will we be able to humbly and effectively address the injustices in our world today. This paradigm shift may not seem risky, and yet if we allow it to become part of who we are, there will be significant implications. Tragic news stories and events will break our hearts more deeply, and we won’t be able to so easily sweep away our fears, as we recognise that the people impacted are just like you and I – that we share this common humanity, and that each one of us is treasured by God. But it also allows us, instead of defaulting to self-preservation mode, to catch a glimpse of God’s heart for the injustice or tragedy that has taken place, God’s heart for those who are impacted, and God’s call to respond with love, rather than fear.
In the midst of this paradigm, I am increasingly convinced that if there has to be a dichotomy at all, or a moment in which the designations of “them” and “us” are to be rightly used, it has to relate to our response to injustice, and to the matter of love. There are those who choose hate, revenge, violence – and there are those who, in the face of hate, choose the painstaking, revolutionary, glorious way of love. There is a dichotomy here, and a choice that presents itself to us all in different circumstances of life, both in small ways and in large and significant ways.
But what if even this dichotomy was framed in the context of the “just us” paradigm? What if we allowed our understanding of shared humanity, our shared position as God’s image-bearers, to impact how we respond when the choice between love and hate presents itself?
I think this is what we saw in action as relatives of nine shooting victims stepped up one by one in a Charleston courtroom last month. As I listened to these family members speak directly to the young man who had killed their loved ones only days before, choosing to forgive him, choosing love over hate because of the belief that responding with hate would accomplish nothing – I saw this reality in action. In that courtroom, there was a killer (“them”) and there were grieving victims (“us”); two groups of people separated by the horror of racially-motivated violence. And yet in the midst of the overwhelming grief, those family members stood before another broken human, and showed the watching world that compassion, forgiveness, love, towards someone who in that world’s eyes could not be more “other”, was possible. I don’t know about you, but this filled me with so much hope.
Whether the difficult circumstances we seek to address present themselves to us in the news or in our own lives, are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and embody this “just us” thinking? Will we choose love over hate and fear? Compassion and mercy over self-preservation and security? We are fragile, vulnerable, sojourners in a broken world. But we are loved, held, and empowered by the One who brings light and love into the darkest of places. Let’s follow Him where He leads us – together.
I have a confession to make – and I’m not proud of it. Something troubling goes on in my subconscious when I hear (it seems on a daily basis) of the latest tragedy or atrocity that has taken place in our broken world. My first reaction is, as for all of us, shock or sadness or disbelief or anger or confusion. The events that take place in our world today are heart-breakingly mind-blowingly difficult to get our heads around, and my head can often do little more than breathe out a sigh of weary lament.
My second reaction – which seeps in often unnoticed, as a reflex reaction to any sign of threat or danger – is what troubles me. In an attempt to reassure myself that the news I have just heard is something that could never happen to me or those I love, I find myself subconsciously trying to work out the differences in our stories; the factors and circumstances that mean I need not worry. The trouble with this is that instead of focusing on our common humanity – on the truth that there is no other, there is just us – I am focusing on difference, on turning people to “them”, simply for the sake of feeling more secure. With every fibre of my being, I do not believe that we are in any way different. But for a fleeting moment, when a breaking news story feels a little too close to home, I often allow my mind to wander into this territory.
Each member of the JustUs team, myself included, believes strongly that a “them and us” mentality is one of the biggest hindrances to each of us truly becoming justice bearers. Only when we truly understand and live into the truth that every single human being is made in the image of God, and has equal value, worth, and dignity, will we be able to humbly and effectively address the injustices in our world today. This paradigm shift may not seem risky, and yet if we allow it to become part of who we are, there will be significant implications. Tragic news stories and events will break our hearts more deeply, and we won’t be able to so easily sweep away our fears, as we recognise that the people impacted are just like you and I – that we share this common humanity, and that each one of us is treasured by God. But it also allows us, instead of defaulting to self-preservation mode, to catch a glimpse of God’s heart for the injustice or tragedy that has taken place, God’s heart for those who are impacted, and God’s call to respond with love, rather than fear.
In the midst of this paradigm, I am increasingly convinced that if there has to be a dichotomy at all, or a moment in which the designations of “them” and “us” are to be rightly used, it has to relate to our response to injustice, and to the matter of love. There are those who choose hate, revenge, violence – and there are those who, in the face of hate, choose the painstaking, revolutionary, glorious way of love. There is a dichotomy here, and a choice that presents itself to us all in different circumstances of life, both in small ways and in large and significant ways.
But what if even this dichotomy was framed in the context of the “just us” paradigm? What if we allowed our understanding of shared humanity, our shared position as God’s image-bearers, to impact how we respond when the choice between love and hate presents itself?
I think this is what we saw in action as relatives of nine shooting victims stepped up one by one in a Charleston courtroom last month. As I listened to these family members speak directly to the young man who had killed their loved ones only days before, choosing to forgive him, choosing love over hate because of the belief that responding with hate would accomplish nothing – I saw this reality in action. In that courtroom, there was a killer (“them”) and there were grieving victims (“us”); two groups of people separated by the horror of racially-motivated violence. And yet in the midst of the overwhelming grief, those family members stood before another broken human, and showed the watching world that compassion, forgiveness, love, towards someone who in that world’s eyes could not be more “other”, was possible. I don’t know about you, but this filled me with so much hope.
Whether the difficult circumstances we seek to address present themselves to us in the news or in our own lives, are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and embody this “just us” thinking? Will we choose love over hate and fear? Compassion and mercy over self-preservation and security? We are fragile, vulnerable, sojourners in a broken world. But we are loved, held, and empowered by the One who brings light and love into the darkest of places. Let’s follow Him where He leads us – together.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
What's love got to do with it?
Yesterday was a day for the history books. For those of you who don't go on any social media websites, watch TV, or talk to other people, yesterday the US Supreme Court ruled for the legalization of LGBT Marriage. Now, this is not a topic I would normally weigh in on, but everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, seems to have taken this opportunity to declare to the internet world what their opinion on the matter is. And I have to admit, it has left me feeling very confused.
In the last day, I have seen Christian leaders, ones whom I greatly respect, post provocative statements, which, while true, have made me question whether they wrote in love or to stir the pot. I have seen Christian leaders post very opposite statements, both of which have been vehemently attacked, as well as resoundingly agreed with. I have read articles about how this is a great opportunity for Christ followers to display God's love, and other ones about how the Supreme Court made a "huge mistake." I've seen predictions of how society is going to crumble, and I've read celebratory accounts of people who finally get to marry the person they love.
It's all downright confusing.
Now, if you're scouring this post hoping to find out whether or not I agree with the ruling, quit now. You're not going to find it. I refuse to be another voice in this heated political debate. What you will find, should you keep reading, is my opinion on how, as followers of Christ, we should be responding to what happened yesterday.
Let me start with a few statements. To those in the Church who are in a huff about the ruling: How does this affect you so deeply that you should be angry? Churches legally have the right to refuse to marry a couple if it is against their religion. You will not be forced to go against your beliefs in any way. You are not being persecuted for your beliefs - you're free to continue with your worship and your lifestyle. This really has very little affect on you. Not to mention, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" As followers of Christ, we hold ourselves up to a certain standard, judging by the Bible what is right and what is wrong. How can you judge someone by those standards if they themselves don't believe those standards are even valid? Your job is to judge those who identify themselves with the name of Jesus, and even then, to begin by gently correcting with love.
Secondly, to those in the LGBT community: I apologize on behalf of the people who have called themselves followers of Christ, but have acted in angry and unloving ways towards you. I'm sorry for the hurt they've caused, and I hope you believe me when I say that you've had a poor sampling. We're not all angry and hateful, I promise. And while that holds true, I'd like to remind you that disagreeing with your views is not synonymous with hating you. Christians have the right to believe the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin just as much as you have a right to believe that it is not. They have a right to express that belief, just the same way you have the right to express that you think they're wrong. I hope, whichever side my readers fall on, we will agree to engage in this conversation in love and openness, as friends, and not as enemies.
So, on to the issue at hand. I've recently read, over and over again, accusations of the church being hateful. I truly believe that this alone grieves God more than almost anything. When Jesus walked on earth, he made it resoundingly clear that the two most important things in life are to love God and to love others. Under no circumstances should we ever come off as hateful. The standard we should worry about holding ourselves to is one of love. In everything, we should be asking ourselves, "is this a loving response? Am I speaking truth in love, or am I condemning those who hear me? Am I acting in a loving way, one that leads others to the person of Jesus Christ, or am I alienating those around me?"
Let's go back to Cornell West's definition of justice: "Justice is what love looks like in public." Are we pursuing justice by publicly loving those we disagree with? Are we inviting people to the cross by the way we respond to big issues like this one? Are we promoting grace and redemption in the way we discuss these issues?
If you call yourself a follower of Christ and publicly identify with his name, I hope these questions will weigh heavily on your heart as you decide how to respond in this debate. If you can't honestly say your response is being voiced with grace and love, I hope you'll have the restraint to keep it to yourself until Jesus has had the chance to work out His grace and His love in you, and you can respond accordingly.
In the last day, I have seen Christian leaders, ones whom I greatly respect, post provocative statements, which, while true, have made me question whether they wrote in love or to stir the pot. I have seen Christian leaders post very opposite statements, both of which have been vehemently attacked, as well as resoundingly agreed with. I have read articles about how this is a great opportunity for Christ followers to display God's love, and other ones about how the Supreme Court made a "huge mistake." I've seen predictions of how society is going to crumble, and I've read celebratory accounts of people who finally get to marry the person they love.
It's all downright confusing.
Now, if you're scouring this post hoping to find out whether or not I agree with the ruling, quit now. You're not going to find it. I refuse to be another voice in this heated political debate. What you will find, should you keep reading, is my opinion on how, as followers of Christ, we should be responding to what happened yesterday.
Let me start with a few statements. To those in the Church who are in a huff about the ruling: How does this affect you so deeply that you should be angry? Churches legally have the right to refuse to marry a couple if it is against their religion. You will not be forced to go against your beliefs in any way. You are not being persecuted for your beliefs - you're free to continue with your worship and your lifestyle. This really has very little affect on you. Not to mention, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" As followers of Christ, we hold ourselves up to a certain standard, judging by the Bible what is right and what is wrong. How can you judge someone by those standards if they themselves don't believe those standards are even valid? Your job is to judge those who identify themselves with the name of Jesus, and even then, to begin by gently correcting with love.
Secondly, to those in the LGBT community: I apologize on behalf of the people who have called themselves followers of Christ, but have acted in angry and unloving ways towards you. I'm sorry for the hurt they've caused, and I hope you believe me when I say that you've had a poor sampling. We're not all angry and hateful, I promise. And while that holds true, I'd like to remind you that disagreeing with your views is not synonymous with hating you. Christians have the right to believe the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin just as much as you have a right to believe that it is not. They have a right to express that belief, just the same way you have the right to express that you think they're wrong. I hope, whichever side my readers fall on, we will agree to engage in this conversation in love and openness, as friends, and not as enemies.
So, on to the issue at hand. I've recently read, over and over again, accusations of the church being hateful. I truly believe that this alone grieves God more than almost anything. When Jesus walked on earth, he made it resoundingly clear that the two most important things in life are to love God and to love others. Under no circumstances should we ever come off as hateful. The standard we should worry about holding ourselves to is one of love. In everything, we should be asking ourselves, "is this a loving response? Am I speaking truth in love, or am I condemning those who hear me? Am I acting in a loving way, one that leads others to the person of Jesus Christ, or am I alienating those around me?"
Let's go back to Cornell West's definition of justice: "Justice is what love looks like in public." Are we pursuing justice by publicly loving those we disagree with? Are we inviting people to the cross by the way we respond to big issues like this one? Are we promoting grace and redemption in the way we discuss these issues?
If you call yourself a follower of Christ and publicly identify with his name, I hope these questions will weigh heavily on your heart as you decide how to respond in this debate. If you can't honestly say your response is being voiced with grace and love, I hope you'll have the restraint to keep it to yourself until Jesus has had the chance to work out His grace and His love in you, and you can respond accordingly.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Renewal
It's been a while since I've written anything. A few days ago I thought about sitting down to write, and why I hadn't done it recently. First I brushed the idea aside, telling myself I was too busy to sit and string thoughts together into cohesive, comprehend-able sentences, but after some thought I realized part of why I haven't written is because I haven't felt like I've had much to say - which, ask anyone who knows me, is rare.
I wrote recently about how it can be easy to get overwhelmed when we think of social justice because there are so many problems, and they are just so big. It feels impossible that I could make a difference. When I thought about why I hadn't felt like writing lately, I realized it was because I was starting to feel that way. I was overwhelmed by how many injustices were going on in this world and felt it was easier not to think too hard about them than to process all of it.
Social media is great for many reasons, and terrible for many others. A few weeks ago, the terrible aspects were quite prominent. As I've scrolled through my news feed in the last few months, I've read articles about Christians being murdered at a university in Kenya, about a devastating earthquake in Nepal, followed by many tremors and a lot of social breakdown, a report about ISIS and the terror they've systematically been spreading through the Middle East, the quickly escalating protests in Burundi, an update from an organization about the horrible conditions in South Sudan. After a while I began to feel hopeless. There is so much suffering, so much hate, and so much despair in the world. How can I feel empathy for all these people? How can I care about all these issues without becoming a blubbering mess who can't function properly?
The only answer I could come up with is: I don't know. The world is a mess, and there's no denying that. We've done a really great job at screwing it up.
So I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to write about justice because it would make me think about all the injustice. And I didn't think I could handle dealing with all that despair. All that hopelessness.
Fortunately, when I feel this way, God generally doesn't let me push it all aside and be apathetic for very long. After sometime I began feeling like I really needed to write. Which meant I had to think about all these ugly truths and enter into the despair. But as I thought of what I could possibly say that was uplifting and helpful in any way, I realized I don't have to. I don't have to face the hopelessness. Because, though it's often hard to see, there is hope. In Revelation 21, John gives us a glimpse of what the world will be like once Jesus has returned and renewed it, and there is no hopelessness in it.
I wrote recently about how it can be easy to get overwhelmed when we think of social justice because there are so many problems, and they are just so big. It feels impossible that I could make a difference. When I thought about why I hadn't felt like writing lately, I realized it was because I was starting to feel that way. I was overwhelmed by how many injustices were going on in this world and felt it was easier not to think too hard about them than to process all of it.
Social media is great for many reasons, and terrible for many others. A few weeks ago, the terrible aspects were quite prominent. As I've scrolled through my news feed in the last few months, I've read articles about Christians being murdered at a university in Kenya, about a devastating earthquake in Nepal, followed by many tremors and a lot of social breakdown, a report about ISIS and the terror they've systematically been spreading through the Middle East, the quickly escalating protests in Burundi, an update from an organization about the horrible conditions in South Sudan. After a while I began to feel hopeless. There is so much suffering, so much hate, and so much despair in the world. How can I feel empathy for all these people? How can I care about all these issues without becoming a blubbering mess who can't function properly?
The only answer I could come up with is: I don't know. The world is a mess, and there's no denying that. We've done a really great job at screwing it up.
So I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to write about justice because it would make me think about all the injustice. And I didn't think I could handle dealing with all that despair. All that hopelessness.
Fortunately, when I feel this way, God generally doesn't let me push it all aside and be apathetic for very long. After sometime I began feeling like I really needed to write. Which meant I had to think about all these ugly truths and enter into the despair. But as I thought of what I could possibly say that was uplifting and helpful in any way, I realized I don't have to. I don't have to face the hopelessness. Because, though it's often hard to see, there is hope. In Revelation 21, John gives us a glimpse of what the world will be like once Jesus has returned and renewed it, and there is no hopelessness in it.
"He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
When we take a hard look at this world, things look bleak. But, as Christians, we are called not to set our eyes on the world, but on the God who made it, who spoke it into being, and who has a plan for it. He's waiting for as many as possible to come to Him, and then, with His return, He'll bring justice to this earth, and wipe away every tear. There will be no more despair, but a whole lot of rejoicing.
Earlier this month, as I thought about justice, I got caught up in the injustices, in the problems. But that's not what I'm called to. Injustice is an ugly repercussion to our sin. But what was originally intended was love, grace, selflessness, and justice. As a Christ-follower, I have been invited to help usher in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of hope - the kingdom of justice. As we work on this earth to try to set right the things that have gone wrong, though our efforts seem tiny and inconsequential, we have hope because we know the One who will ultimately set all things right, and we have hope in His return, when all these things will pass away.
It's often difficult not to feel despair when we think of all the wars, famines, natural disasters and hate in this world, but the beautiful truth is that, though it may often seem like these things are winning, in the end they stand no chance. These things are horrible, yes, but they're also temporary. The world was not created to be this way, and will not remain this way. Those who suffer will know joy, those in pain will know relief, and those who hunger will be filled. There is hope.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Just One Step.
Since beginning this blog, and more specifically my series on the policies of stores in my local mall, I've been humbled and encouraged as people have approached me, called me, and sent me messages to say that they've been challenged by my musings, and are trying to be more intentional with their purchases. I'm excited to hear people are choosing to consider how and where their consumer goods are made before buying them.
But I've also, in a few instances, been met with a little bit of resistance. I've had people brush off the topic in conversation, flat out tell me they don't care, or send me messages telling me I'm being harsh. While I'm initially shocked, and more than a little frustrated by these reactions, after some considerations, I can understand their reactions. Changing the way the economic system works is neither easy nor quick. Maybe I sound ridiculous suggesting that if we make different consumer choices, we can affect change in the lives of people around the world. When faced with huge, international issues like child labour, slave labour, unfair wages and unsafe working conditions, trying to make a difference can seem very daunting. The size of the problems can choke us, make us feel useless, and lead us to believe we'll never succeed in changing the systems that disadvantage so many. And we'd rather ignore it, pretend we don't care, and go on living our lives like everything is just fine, than feel like we failed. And it's easy to do. We don't see those who suffer so that we can have our choice of $8 t-shirts. We don't know their names or their stories, so it's easy to ignore.
The problems are huge. They are overwhelming. And there's no way that one person can fix them on their own, or in a short period of time. This is a long-term project, one that requires everyone jump on board. A year from now, we'll still be discussing the same issues, because they will still be issues. But maybe they won't be in 2045 if we choose to make some small changes. All it takes to be part of the movement is one small step. Rather than look at the vastness of the problems, or your limitations, think of one thing you can do to move in the right direction, commit to doing it for a period of time, and when it becomes habit, just another way of life, think of another. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
Here are some small steps you can take to join the movement, without the complete upheaval of your entire being:
1. Commit to purchasing only fair trade coffee, tea, or chocolate for a year. Pick the one you consume the most, and move towards buying only those made in fair environments and from sustainable sources.
2. Commit to buying less of something you usually purchase, that may be made in harmful conditions. Clothing, sugar, coffee, etc. Pick one that you could probably cut back on and start using the money you usually spend on those on something life-giving, that benefits others. Be specific with this. If you just commit to "buying less clothes," you're not really going to know whether or not you were successful. Make yourself a budget for the year, or determine how many shirts you usually buy in a year and decide to buy half that amount this year.
3. Commit to supporting, and partnering with, a charity that is doing good work and helping those who our systems have disadvantaged work toward a better future. Support them financially. If you haven't written giving into your budget, maybe consider what consumer goods you spend most of your money on, reduce how much you purchase, and donate what's left.
4. Commit to purchasing clothes and other items second-hand. It's inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and socially conscious.
5. Find a few stores that you like that are doing their part to ensure people aren't harmed in the making of their products. Commit to purchasing only from these stores for a year. If you can't find what you need at them, see if you can find it second hand, or get it made locally.
These are just a few ideas. I'm sure there are a million more small steps we can take to move in the direction of socially conscious consumerism. All it takes to start is one small step. Choose one thing that you can do, one change you can make. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the problem, focus rather on the one small thing that you can do to be a part of the solution.
But I've also, in a few instances, been met with a little bit of resistance. I've had people brush off the topic in conversation, flat out tell me they don't care, or send me messages telling me I'm being harsh. While I'm initially shocked, and more than a little frustrated by these reactions, after some considerations, I can understand their reactions. Changing the way the economic system works is neither easy nor quick. Maybe I sound ridiculous suggesting that if we make different consumer choices, we can affect change in the lives of people around the world. When faced with huge, international issues like child labour, slave labour, unfair wages and unsafe working conditions, trying to make a difference can seem very daunting. The size of the problems can choke us, make us feel useless, and lead us to believe we'll never succeed in changing the systems that disadvantage so many. And we'd rather ignore it, pretend we don't care, and go on living our lives like everything is just fine, than feel like we failed. And it's easy to do. We don't see those who suffer so that we can have our choice of $8 t-shirts. We don't know their names or their stories, so it's easy to ignore.
The problems are huge. They are overwhelming. And there's no way that one person can fix them on their own, or in a short period of time. This is a long-term project, one that requires everyone jump on board. A year from now, we'll still be discussing the same issues, because they will still be issues. But maybe they won't be in 2045 if we choose to make some small changes. All it takes to be part of the movement is one small step. Rather than look at the vastness of the problems, or your limitations, think of one thing you can do to move in the right direction, commit to doing it for a period of time, and when it becomes habit, just another way of life, think of another. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
Here are some small steps you can take to join the movement, without the complete upheaval of your entire being:
1. Commit to purchasing only fair trade coffee, tea, or chocolate for a year. Pick the one you consume the most, and move towards buying only those made in fair environments and from sustainable sources.
2. Commit to buying less of something you usually purchase, that may be made in harmful conditions. Clothing, sugar, coffee, etc. Pick one that you could probably cut back on and start using the money you usually spend on those on something life-giving, that benefits others. Be specific with this. If you just commit to "buying less clothes," you're not really going to know whether or not you were successful. Make yourself a budget for the year, or determine how many shirts you usually buy in a year and decide to buy half that amount this year.
3. Commit to supporting, and partnering with, a charity that is doing good work and helping those who our systems have disadvantaged work toward a better future. Support them financially. If you haven't written giving into your budget, maybe consider what consumer goods you spend most of your money on, reduce how much you purchase, and donate what's left.
4. Commit to purchasing clothes and other items second-hand. It's inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and socially conscious.
5. Find a few stores that you like that are doing their part to ensure people aren't harmed in the making of their products. Commit to purchasing only from these stores for a year. If you can't find what you need at them, see if you can find it second hand, or get it made locally.
These are just a few ideas. I'm sure there are a million more small steps we can take to move in the direction of socially conscious consumerism. All it takes to start is one small step. Choose one thing that you can do, one change you can make. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the problem, focus rather on the one small thing that you can do to be a part of the solution.
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