Last May I went on a missions trip to San Jose, Costa Rica with my sophomore class. In one of the pre-trip meetings my leader talked about how we shouldn't feel bad for the people who live in what we consider poverty down there. While we should be thankful that God has blessed us with money and a house to live in, they have been blessed with so many other things that mean so much more than material possesions.
When I first heard that it really struck me. But when I actually got down to the community and started ministering, I realized how correct my leader actually was. Those people down there were living in tiny shacks with horrible plumbing, and most of them didn't make much money. One neighborhood we went to was basically dominated by the mafia, and these women had to make their money by taking apart unusable hospital supplies. And yet these people had something that most people in America don't have: Joy. We saw pictures of these dirty children looking with big, sad eyes up and the camera. But that wasn't what I saw! These people were genuinly glad to be where they were. I'm sure they all go through times where they want more, or they get depressed at the conditions they live in. But in their faces you could see JOY.
I got home and so many people asked me if being down there made me realize how blessed I am by God. And in some ways, yes. But I was also struck by how much we are caught up in material possesions. We have so much that we forget that God was the one who gave it to us. These people, pretty much all they have is God.
Bottom line: I think that instead of asking to be blessed through material things, one should ask to be blessed with more faith, joy, and wisdom. Those things have a far greater impact on your life than any amount of money will.
Much Love,
Amanda
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