Occupy the land, Lord

I don't claim to be political or knowledgeable when it comes to government or its policies. I'm not one to have complete opinions about these matters also because my knowledge pool is small. I'm not read enough in the area, but I don't think you have to be an expert to call out judgement.

With that said, I can't help but wonder why I keep seeing so much hatred from people when it comes to the "Occupy" movement, the homeless population, or talks regarding low income populations "being lazy, addicted to drugs, or having more kids to get more benefits." \

I got to share Kristin's work over at Ponderings.

I still think its such an important work, putting faces to the stories. That is the best weapon against judgement. When we humanize a situation rather than objectify them.

I must confess this was not my reaction when I first read the judgmental statement earlier today. I was angry and soon formulated my own judgements about this person. I went to God's word to help me find the right argument because this person speaks bible, if you know what I mean...

I googled, "verses about helping the poor" and found many! I ope you go and see if something speaks to your heart!

This is what spoke to mine:


Isaiah 58:3-12 from The Message:

They're busy, busy, busy at worship,
and love studying all about me.
To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people—
law-abiding, God-honoring.
They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?'
and love having me on their side.
But they also complain,
'Why do we fast and you don't look our way?
Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'

^3-5"Well, here's why:

"The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit.
You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
won't get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after:
a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
a fast day that I, God, would like?

^6-9"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

^9-12"If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people's sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.

I love other translations, but I din't want a novel. I did not confront this person, but instead, I came here to write.

Lord,

Make in me a spirit of thanksgiving. Allow me to be a cheerful giver, confidently knowing that its You that provide sustenance for all my needs. You help me to care for my children and the people that I work with. Help my arms to reach even further in the community. Pour all that anger in a direction that gives You glory. I know that Your heart breaks when Your people are not cared for or taken advantage of, so please work through me and those around me. Empower those that want to do Your work. We are not perfect, but we are willing, and I know that is all it takes to find favor in Your eye. Again, You give us a spirit of LOVE, SELF-DISCIPLINE, and POWER. Thank You for loving us and moving us in a way that brings You glory.

In Jesus Name,
Amen