New use for this blog or why I don't want it to die

I feel like blogging was a good thing this summer, so I'm going to continue it, even as the purpose for the blog has run its course(until the next time I undertake a big adventure such as my trip to Japan). I think I'm going to try to figure out some way to point people directly to my posts from the summer on the home page. But that's in the works.

As for now, I think I'm going to try to expand on whatever comes my way that I find of interest-and that I'd love to get feedback on, because I think these things may interest others. Also, I might use it to keep practice my other tongues(the ones I exchange mine for when speaking Japanese or Spanish or whatever), but we'll see.

Anyway, for today, I was reading the article "Humanitarian Military Intervention: Wars for the End of History?" by Clifford Orwin for my international ethics class. Such an enthralling title, I know, but in the midst of perusing it, I came upon this quote(found on page 209) that rings so true to me:

"This, then, is the basic flaw in the fabric of humanitarian intervention:the weakness of compassion as a motive for the fortitude required in war. Footage of the Darfur crisis in Sudan, however stark, can do no more than foster a humanitarian bond between the nomad of the Sahel and the ordinary Joe watching the news in Cleveland. This bond will be genuine as far as it goes, but will remain peripheral, inconstant, and weak. Take the couch potato and make a soldier of him, and you may find him willing to risk his life for his comrades, his country, and mankind (in that order). Leave him on his sofa, and you will likely see him disposed toward rescue in Darfur but reluctant to risk his or many other American lives to that end. You may also find him easily distracted by the next gripping news item, by the late movie following the news, and by the
need to replenish his bowl of salsa. (Let this last need stand in for all his
others.)"

I began writing this blog four days ago and put it down after copying the quote. That stands as a testament to my apathy, even in pointing out the limitations of our empathy. Of course, the author is talking about humanitarian war- war to help another people, not just aid, but committing your country to war, as we've done in Afghanistan.

Yet, what I want to look at is what we can do personally. What should we do, when we see such saddening and evil events and lifetimes and places such as the war in Darfur and yearly natural disasters around the world? It's hard for the human mind to sustain concern, but at the same time, we're called to love our neighbors as God loves us. God loves justice as well, so how can we as individuals stand for that justice?

Well, in racking my brain for a quick and dirty example from the Bible, this is the one that came to mind:

"One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea." Acts 11:28-29

So each one gave as he had. I guess that's a simple thing to do. If you care, give what you can towards someone who's in need. In modern days, there are a whole group of organizations that you can trust to actually put that money to good use- such as the Red Cross and Tom's Shoes and other relief funds. Not everyone needs to physically be where there is need- by becoming a soldier or relief worker or what have you- but there is a need for them too. I guess what I'm saying is that whatever God has given you, you should use it not only for yourself and those you know personally, but to love people you may never see. I'm not only talking about money- although that's a good indicator of what you care about- I'm also talking about prayer and boots on the ground.

Ok, so all of those are actions. What about this whole empathy/feeling thing? I don't think a single person can tackle all of the world's problems(or even be aware of all of them), unless you're talking about Jesus himself- and he hasn't really gone in an intervened in all of our affairs in this world, not how we can see- so how should we keep our emotions in check? How should we make sure we're not being too flippant? That's really hard, and really, I don't know what to say- except that our actions should flow from our heart. That love can be a feeling and an action. And I guess just to keep a good, realistic, hopeful outlook is important. A should outlook.

And I hope that as Christ works in me, that I'll grow that kind of outlook. One of godly compassion and a yearning for justice. I've been made aware of so many disasters and horrible living conditions and injustices where everything else looks right on the outside- like I said, they were topics for my classes, and if you watch the news or talk, you'll hear. I know that I can't solve all these problems, not just by myself, maybe not at all. But I can trust in a God and ask him to bring about justice in the earth. And I can ask him for wisdom in how I can help- and then do it.