Today is the longest day of the year. We call it the first day of summer. We celebrate by getting off work early and heading to the lake, pool or somewhere outdoors to welcome the season. But for many others, it is simply another day. In truth, every day seems to be the longest day.
It is the longest day for...
* The 1 billion chronically hungry people of the world who not only woke up hungry on this day but have no idea where or even if they will get food today...
* The 43 million people who woke up away from their homes and can't go home today or for the most part, the foreseeable future. They are internally displaced within their home country or have had to flee to another country. The reasons are legion: war, famine, persecution, etc.
* The 4.2 billion people who live in some sort of poverty. 2.6 billion live on less than $2 per day. 1.3 billion live in what is called "absolute" poverty or less than $1 per day.
* The 1.1 billion people who still have inadequate access to clean, safe drinking water. Many of them will spend hours today walking, waiting and hauling this precious resource.
* The 2.6 billion who still lack adequate access to clean sanitation.
* The 2.5 million people, mainly women and children, caught up in human trafficking. The majority of these are 18 to 24 years of age.
Yes, it is the longest day of the year. But if you're one of the above, in many respects, every day is a longest day...
We serve a God who proclaimed...
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
I wonder, on this longest day, could we stop and find a way to help ease the burden of just one of the least of these who experience a longest day every day?
It is the longest day for...
* The 1 billion chronically hungry people of the world who not only woke up hungry on this day but have no idea where or even if they will get food today...
* The 43 million people who woke up away from their homes and can't go home today or for the most part, the foreseeable future. They are internally displaced within their home country or have had to flee to another country. The reasons are legion: war, famine, persecution, etc.
* The 4.2 billion people who live in some sort of poverty. 2.6 billion live on less than $2 per day. 1.3 billion live in what is called "absolute" poverty or less than $1 per day.
* The 1.1 billion people who still have inadequate access to clean, safe drinking water. Many of them will spend hours today walking, waiting and hauling this precious resource.
* The 2.6 billion who still lack adequate access to clean sanitation.
* The 2.5 million people, mainly women and children, caught up in human trafficking. The majority of these are 18 to 24 years of age.
Yes, it is the longest day of the year. But if you're one of the above, in many respects, every day is a longest day...
We serve a God who proclaimed...
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
I wonder, on this longest day, could we stop and find a way to help ease the burden of just one of the least of these who experience a longest day every day?
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