What is our role in God's hungry world?

Fasting and justice. Two words that scare the heebie-jeebies out of me. Justice. Fasting. I like my comfortable, happy, busy, American life with my eat-as-much-as-you-want meal plan at Phelps, my bountiful selection of dorm room snacks, and my credit card that paves the way to drinks at the coffee shop and pumpkin walnut muffins.

Food is good. God gave us food. It's his gift, his way of providing for our needs as humans. The world is full of delicious things to eat, and we have the privilege of partaking in them.

That said, the world is also fallen. God gives us food, but some people don't have enough. It's a crazy concept for me because at home our pantry is always stocked full, food is right at my fingertips, and if I'm out and about with a hunger pain I can drive through McDonald's in like two seconds. Hunger isn't something that's familiar or imminent in my life.

I've been reflecting on these themes this morning, and God's speaking to me, as always, through his scripture and through my convictions. I honestly have an aversion to the word "justice", "social justice", etc. Because I've grown up thinking that preaching the gospel and sharing the love of Jesus is the main concern of a Christian's life, I consider "justice" often to be sidetracking. God has taught me a lot about this in the past couple of years, and I now realize that we can participate with God in freeing the captives, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, and denying yourself so others can live. The Bible is full of references to the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized.... I didn't want to see it before, but I have now. WIDOWS. ORPHANS. Micah 6:8, Isaiah 58, there are verses all over Proverbs, Matthew 25. We are called to be generous givers, suppliers, and lovers of those that don't have enough.

At the same time, I think, "But God, so many people did this to themselves! It's their fault!" On Thursday we had a food stamps simulation in Phelps Hall, and while my heart went out to people on food stamps, I couldn't help but let those negative thoughts sneak in my head... "well for good grief, take some college classes and then you won't be making minimum wage. Then you can feed your children. It's your responsibility as a parent to feed your children!"

I think there's some truth to that. Parents have responsibilities. People have responsibilities. But there's also truth to "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed" (Prov. 11:25). And, "Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need" (Prov. 21:13).

God is fully able to provide for his children. That being said, he calls us to participate too. Where is the line? How much do we do? Can we ever do enough? Can we truly end world hunger, or even be expected to?

"This is the kind of fasting I want;

Free those who are wrongly imprisioned;

lighten the burden of those who work for you.

Let the oppressed go free,

and remove the chains that bind people.

Share your food with the hungry,

and give shelter to the homeless.

Give clothes to those who need them,

and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Then... YOUR SALVATION WILL COME LIKE THE DAWN,

and your wounds will quickly heal.

Your godliness will lead you forward,

and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

Then when you call, the Lord will answer.

"Yes, I am here," he will quickly reply.

Isaiah 58: 6-9a