So Jill warned my not to "open up a can of worms", or "ruffle some feathers," so I'm going to be somewhat careful.  I think that this spill is terrible.  I feel for the families of the 11 men who died when the rig exploded.  I think the impact will be far reaching and will affect lives for years to come.  That being said, I feel like the reaction of many people has been a little bit ridiculous.

Apparently, there is a Facebook status going around that says a little something like this,

"So where are all the "Save the Gulf" concerts? Where are the T.V. Benefits with celebrities, musicians giving heart felt speeches on the poor fisherman, wildlife, beaches, loss of income, sabotaged gulf economy? I find it rather strange how these people (including our own government) are so quick to help Haiti and other countries, but sit on their butts for this one. Just stating the facts. Post if you agree!"

This set off quite the debate between some of my Facebook friends and acquaintances.  I don't get involved in these kind of things.  But reading the thread, I got madder and madder and madder.  I can't understand how people can compare a natural disaster like the earthquake in Haiti, that came without warning killed over 230,000 people in a matter of minutes, destroyed homes and displaced thousands of surviving people, and completely disrupts normal life with an accidental spill of oil that is hard to stop and clean up, even with 100s of people cleaning.

I thought I would compare how my day went yesterday.  I live here in Pensacola, on the Gulf coast.  I know that this will have an effect, but on day 54.

1. I woke up around 9 am.  Brushed my teeth.  Fed my dog.  Let him out. Got dressed.
2. Drove to Lowe's.  Bought string for my weedeater and a Mountain Dew.  Stopped at Citgo and got gas for my new lawnmower. Came home.
3. Filled up the mower and mowed the grass. It was hot but it was fun to use the new mower.
4. I used my weedeater to trim and get rid of some plants growing in my fence.
5. Finished up, cleaned up, took a shower and drove over to my in-laws house.
6. Ate a tuna salad sandwich, doritos, and a sweet tea while watching the world cup USA vs England game.
7. Proceeded to paint the back bedroom in their house a lovely dark green.  Painted for a few hours till it was done.
8. Ate some Pizza Hut pizza and breadsticks.
9. Went swimming.
10. Drove home.  Watched the Rays 9th inning.  Played a little Modern Warfare 2.  Went to sleep.

I really feel like this discussion is happening solely because Americans are the most selfish people on the planet, myself included.  We are so blessed and privileged that we just hoard more and more and more.  We look at this minor setback in a major economical system of America that produces more money than we even know what to do with.  We have also decided that if something doesn't go how we deem it to be "fair," then we whine and moan and complain and look for people to blame.  When I look at this "disaster," the only people to blame are Americans.  We demand so much oil to make our economy work.  Yet we complain when the price gets high.  We want people to get us thing cheaper and cheaper and cheaper and this is what happens.

I love this quote that a great and inspiring friend of mine posted,

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.  -Mark Twain"

This speaks to our American sensibilities.  We only think about what we are doing and how our lives are effected.  We need to stop whining about something that responsible people will pay for.  We need to stop looking for handouts.  We need to understand that the poorest American is a king in most impoverished nations.

As a Christian, I am a part of the Kingdom of God, an active vibrant community that should be bringing His compassion and love to the world.  I never saw the disciples complaining that they faced hard times. Paul was shipwrecked, imprisoned, snakebitten, flogged, and kick out of town for doing what God calls all of us to do, love others in need.  And I'm not going to apologize that I don't feel sorry for us, not being able to go to the beach, eat seafood, or make a little less money and adjust your life accordingly.  I feel for those that can't take care of themselves.  What's not fair is the fact that I was born into a privileged country, in a well off family.  And at the same time, others are born into countries where their families make less than 1 dollar a day.  That's not fair.  Those are the people that need the benefits, and the help.

I have a fundraiser going right now to build wells to give clean water to people in Kenya.  As Americans, the best way I see to deal with this oil spill, (which, honestly, right now we can do nothing,) is  to think about others less fortunate than us.  Stop whining about not being able to go to the beach, or eat seafood.  Make a difference.  I really think some feathers need to be ruffled, so consider your feathers ruffled.

H2O4K

I've been thinking about Lost on and off ever since the finale aired.  Believe me, I wasn't happy.  It seemed to me like they didn't answer anything at all.  I understand that actors get older, or won't come back to the show.  But you spent six years developing a story line, and in the last season you introduce new things and only answer those things.  It didn't sit right with me.  I know the people that like it say that it was perfect and beautiful way to give the characters closure.  I get what happened.  Just not what I wanted.

All that aside, I think somethings about Lost makes a connection with Christianity. (Not the all paths and being a good person will get you to heaven, when you are ready to go, thing though.) Our lives are complicated busy things.  Intricate details are all around us.  There are things that we dwell on, (like what was so special about Walt), and they become what is important to us.  A lot of things we don't understand, why things happen, what happened, whatever.

But I think what God is concerned about is the final result of the journey.  Just like Lost.  While being wrapped up in details and unanswered questions loomed, the story ultimately brought the people where they ended up, and it didn't matter how they got there.  Faith should be the same thing.  Some of us have complex twisting pasts that have brought us to where we are today in our lives.  We can't possibly understand why things happened, why did that person die, why did I get fired from that job, why did that person leave with no explanation.  God had a plan for you.  Those things were there because they brought you to where you are.  They equip you for something more, something maybe only you can handle.  When we end up serving and being a part of God's plan, the minute details that brought us on the journey aren't really as important.

The important part of my Christianity is not what has happened, but what I will do next, for the glory of God.  How will I respond?