Spiritual Schizophrenia

Isn't it funny how God brings things together in your life at just the right time. What seem to be independent streams flow together in a convergence that shapes the very core of who you are.

The other night my wife and I were watching TV together. She hates commercials so we usually end up watching a second show during the commercials of the primary show that we are watching. Our primary show was called "Crisis Zone". It chronicles the work of doctors and other aid workers in war-ravaged countries like Afghanistan and Rwanda. We watched as they showed situation after situation where children died due to the lack of the most basic medical or sanitation equipment.

Our second show (During the "Crisis Zone" commercials) was called "Overhaulin'". The basic premise is that a group of car specialists trick an owner into thinking that his car has either been stolen, towed away, or wrapped up in some legal red-tape. As the owner struggles to get his car back, the talented group of "overhaulers" totally rebuild the car. They go to unbelievable expense to really "trick it out". The show ends with the car owner being let in on the gag. The last five minutes show him (or her) walking around the car with their mouth hanging open, hardly believing the good fortune that has come upon them.

The contrast between the two shows made me sick to my stomach. In North America we spend more on new wheel rims for a show car than it would cost to provide clean water for a whole village in Rwanda. How can we do that without thinking about the implications? I realize that I'm oversimplifying and I'm not expecting non-Christians to act like followers of Jesus. I'm just wondering how to process these ideas and live in a way that is faithful to Jesus in a culture that isn't.

I've been studying the book of Isaiah and the following passage was the one that I read following my television viewing experience.

Isaiah 1:21-25 - "See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her- but now murderers! Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them. Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: "Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities."

Our blessings far too often distract us from the needs in other parts of the world. I remember going to Urbana 87 and hearing Roberta Hestenes say something that has floated through my head for the past 17 years..."Our hearts must be broken by the things that break the heart of God." How long can we live with spiritual schizophrenia that allows us to claim to follow Jesus and yet care nothing about things that break His heart?