"Thirst" by Sarah Cowart
On days like today when the sun is shining and the wind is
blowing just enough to notice, I tend to think a little clearer. As I look out
the window on the third floor of the Interior Design building (my only
connection to the outside world for two hours every day), my mind travels on
the breeze over countries and seas and right into the heart of a crisis. The
water crisis is one that is happening right now with a solution so reachable
it's hard to believe.
Last Sunday morning I sat thinking about what I would say on the
couch. What could I say to plead the case of people suffering in a place and in
a way so foreign to me? Why was this such a difficult topic to make real and
tangible? What could I say on behalf of a thirsty people when I, myself, have
never been thirsty.
"This is a silent crisis experienced by the poor, and
tolerated by those with the resources, technology, and the political power to
end it." -Living Water International
Over a billion people each year go without clean water. A
billion people. That's a whole lot of millions. Here in my office with at least
three water fountains in this building alone and countless more next door,
along with a Circle K across the street fully stocked with beautiful pure water
bottled up and ready to drink I cannot understand that people do not have clean
water. Women in some countries spend 15-20 hours a week walking to find clean
water for themselves and their family. The only thing I can think of that I
spend 15 hours on a week is, shamefully, my computer. But what would happen if
God's people actually cared about the needs of the poor? What would happen if
our feel-bad-while-I'm-hearing-about-it attitude shifted into actual feelings
of concern and then, this is the kicker, ACTION! What if we, as the church,
actually DID something! I know I'm getting radical here, but the statistics
demand attention. I mentioned last Sunday that it would take only $0.98 to provide
one person with water for an entire year. Even as broke college students we can
spare one dollar each year. This is a dollar-menu-solution within sight with
something everyone is bound to go home satisfied with.
The Well is a church devoted to speaking everlasting truth
in an ever-changing culture. Let's also be a church devoted to speaking
everlasting truth in ALL cultures. Let's really grasp that there are other
countries in the world other than ours, there are other people in the world other
than our 300 closest friends on facebook. Let's realize people have needs. And
let's realize that we have the potential to DO SOMETHING to meet them.
The view from my window has been nice for a while, but it's
time to stop looking at my reflection and open my eyes to the world that is
beyond.
"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your
works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my
soul thirsts for you like a parched land." -Psalm 143:5-6
We've experienced blessings. We've experienced Christ. It's
time to experience thirst.
