Leave a Gallon of Water Next to Your
Car
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for
you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for
good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
What are you willing to risk for the betterment
of your life? What commitment are you
willing to make for the well-being of your loved one? What are you willing to give up for the
benefit of a stranger? How one answers
these questions can determine where you are now on your life journey and how
your life has impacted others.
When have you ever been really thirsty,
without having access to any water at all?
When have you ever not eaten, had real hunger pains, with no way to
obtain any food? When have you been so
cold or so hot, you were in fear for your life?
Have you ever been dependent on a stranger, someone unknown to you, to
care for you in a life threatening situation?
If you have truly been in any one of these life situations, it was a
life marker, changing how you think and act, a moment that has shaped who you
are as a person.
Using your imagination and/or life
experiences, place yourself into the following life scenario. To put it bluntly, your life sucks! There is a struggle that relentlessly wears
on you. There is a foundational life
need, not a want; that you are unsure you will have tomorrow and for the days
following, for you and others you care for.
There is relief from this need and
uncertainty. There is opportunity, there
is hope. You have heard of it, others
have experienced it, or you may have had it before, but now have lost it. What thoughts go through your head in this untenable
situation? What emotions are you having
to deal with? How do you plan for the
next day? What are your thoughts about
what the future holds for you and yours?
To elaborate on your scenario, you live in
a community where your personal safety is never assured. Corruption permeates your local government. Violence is used for community control by
powerful criminal organizations. If you
associate with or become known by certain people, it could be disastrous for
you and your family’s financial and physical well-being. For families and individuals from Mexico,
Central America, and other countries this is the reality of their life.
If you want to begin a contentious partisan
squabble, mention illegal immigration.
That said, the focus here is the betterment of the lives of human beings
that we share the earth with; Individuals who like us breathe the same air we
do, bleed just like we do, and have families and friends who love one
another.
Concerning immigration to the United
States, it is a moving and honorable experience to attend, as I have, a naturalization
ceremony where legal immigrants become citizens of the United States! These people have chosen to study and learn
about the historical and constitutional foundations that make one proud to be
an American citizen! Many others choose
for various personal reasons to illegally enter the United States. This puts them in very dangerous situations
such as trusting uncaring coyotes to deliver them across the border. After crossing over they live in an
underground culture without having the legal protections and advantages of
legal citizenship. People illegally
residing in the United States are not true immigrants, but unassimilated
migrants, not fully able to participate in and pursue the American dream. Clearly immigration legislation and resources
need to be addressed so more people can legally begin the process of becoming
United States citizens.
Matthew 25:34-40
“Then the King will
say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the
Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For
I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger,
and you invited me into your home.
I was naked, and you
gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and
you visited me.’
“Then these righteous
ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?
Or thirsty and give
you something to drink? Or
a stranger and show you hospitality?
Or naked and give you
clothing? 39 When
did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will
say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my
brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
The
deserts, rugged terrain, and Rio Grande River of the southern border with
Mexico is a very dangerous environment.
It is estimated that up to several hundred illegal migrants die each
year due to heat stroke, dehydration, and hypothermia. All are human beings, God’s creation that he
loves and cares for. Several community
groups have instituted programs to deposit gallon water containers on public
lands alongside the border. The Border
Patrol is instituting a new program placing rescue beacons for illegal migrants. When in distress they can signal Border Patrol
agents to come and rescue them from the life threatening condition they are
in.
Years ago I lived and taught public school
in the mountains and deserts of west Texas near the Rio Grande and border with
Mexico. Friends and I would go hiking
often in the national parks there, sometimes in remote areas. It was common local knowledge that when you
go hiking, you would take a gallon of water and place it next to your locked
vehicle. Why? It would hopefully keep an illegal migrant
from breaking into your vehicle and potentially save the life of someone who may
literally be dying of thirst.
This is the humane thing to do,
right? Of course. What about the larger scope of the entirety of
this person’s life? A gallon of water
may save this person’s life, but what about the reasons that have lead this beloved
one of God to be in the desert risking their life? The water will keep him or her alive that
day, but what of tomorrow, their future?
Concerning the problem of the homeless, now
and then you hear of a community group handing out blankets or individuals who
spend a night out on the street to show affinity and awareness of people who
are homeless. This is symbolism over
substance. You may have helped a
homeless young adult stay warm that night, but most likely they will use the
blanket to barter for some marijuana.
Many Americans, like I have done, soothe their social conscience by scheduling
no more than a one-time volunteer opportunity on their calendar or donating ten
dollars to a cause on a GoFundMe site; And of course the great opportunity for posting
a selfie while serving humanity.
Jesus calls us to rescue, personally get
involved, and help the Samaritan on the side of the road, which can be the
Mexican citizen wandering through the American desert. The Holy Spirit calls on the churches to welcome
the “Gentiles”, someone unfamiliar with Christian community and help them
assimilate and become part of the church family. God calls on the church to provide volunteers
to teach legal immigrants English as a second language and assist immigrants
through the naturalization process towards citizenship.
Faith in Christ, following Jesus, being
part of the tribe of Jesus, is never posed by Jesus as “following the crowd” or
following an illegal, irresponsible, or dishonorable path. There are definite risks and dangers for
Christ followers around the world. However,
martyrdom, death and persecution, is not something you choose to pursue, it is imposed
upon you. Jesus calls us to a faith
where daily we understand our need for Jesus to save us from ourselves and to seek
out and serve those in need, whatever their situation. This Christ following life involves
commitment, risks, and an investment of who we are and what we do.
Mark 8:34
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my
follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow
me. If you try to hang on to your
life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the
sake of the Good News, you will save it.”
So where are you on this journey? Are you in a place of seeking meaning,
purpose, and to better your relationship with God? Are you an unassimilated migrant in the
spiritual realm? Then I encourage you to
ask a Christ follower to help you on this journey that will dialogue and
discuss with you the questions and information you are seeking. Are you a Christian seeking a more purposeful
relationship with God and opportunities to serve those around you? Then pray for direction, patience, and God’s
help for the commitment and courage it will take to pursue and live in that
place of service. Life is more than
leaving a gallon of water next to your car.
John 4:14
Jesus said, “But those who drink the
water I give will never be thirsty again.
It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring
within them, giving them eternal life.”
