A spate of bad news
There’s been a pile of tragic world news recently, aeroplanes missing and shot down, tension in Europe over Russia’s behaviour, the continuing Israel/ Gaza unrest, the horrific advance of ISIS into Iraq and the suicidal death of a much loved comedian.
Easier to retreat
There is more, but our capacity to process all this information reaches a point of compassion fatigue. We start to become numb in our emotions and struggle to stay connected to the world. It’s easier to retreat into our own personal world, which has enough of its own problems.
No all bad
Then we balance out our distress and sadness by watching the Commonwealth Games and enjoy Her Majesty the Queen photobomb a ‘selfie’ of two Australian athletes. We have coffee with a friend, go to the movies, read a good book or listen to Professor John Lennox at a prayer breakfast.
Ways to inspire change
March 8 every year is International Women’s Day and the theme set by the United Nations for 2014 is ‘Inspiring Change’. We may feel powerless to change things like these world events but we can. We can pray. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. (James 5:16) We can support Baptist World Aid financially and other aid organisations. We can keep informed and raise awareness with the people we meet and our government representatives.
Valuable currency
I heard a speech by the actor/comedian Jim Carrey to some graduating students. (I’m not a fan but I did love The Truman Show.) One thing stood out. He said,
‘The affect you have on others is your most valuable currency’.
We all affect others for better or worse. Our most valuable currency is Jesus living in us so we can be women who inspire change in our world.