Adam Speaks's Blog
I'm finally writing on my blog. / 10.28.08, 10:44 AM
To any body who has been waiting to see me write something on this thing, here it goes.
“Our missionary efforts fail when they are based on pity, rather than true compassion. Instead of seeking to do something with the African and Asian peoples, we have sought only to do something for them.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to Love
I have been reading through some of Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s sermons in the book Strength to Love. This just one of the many points that have really captivated me. I know that this is a pretty basic though that most of the time when we think of helping people we think of simple giving them things, when we should be empowering them to gain the resources that many take for granted (water, food, clothing, you name it). When we are just trying to do something FOR people, whether we realize it or not, we dehumanize them, but when we take the time to get to know and love the person and help them figure out how to get to the root of they’re suffering so it doesn’t continue we affirm that they, like us, have been made in the image of God.
I cannot deny that feels good to do something For others, but I am convinced that God wants us to do more, that He wants us to love others in a way that we are seeking not only to meet their physical needs, but the spiritual, relational, emotional needs too.
In Hindu culture they use this greeting, “Namaste.” (Nom a stay) Namaste literally means I salute the God within you or Your spirit and my spirit are ONE. I don’t really agree with the Hindu teachings about gods actually being in each of us or that we are all a part of god, but I think when we greet/help people this is an awesome concept to keep in mind. One way I would re-word the definition is: I am acknowledging that the same God who created and loves me, created and loves you.
Namaste to all.
Grace and Peace
Adam.
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This is encouraging Speaks. Keep pursuing Christ. I think you are and will continue to do amazing things.
Miss you dude. God Bless, Drew
By Drew McClary / Dec 22, 10:41 PM / #
I completely agree with and feel strongly about everything you said.
AMEN!
By Joanna Helton / Dec 30, 10:46 AM / #