Stand Up!

On Saturday afternoon my wife, Ruth, noticed that the following day, October 15th, people around the world were going to stand up against poverty. While it was a symbolic event, it was also a simple gesture, so in worship the next day we asked the children to stand first, then the roughly 200 adults in the pews joined them in forming a circle around the sanctuary.

Why bother? One of the older children asked essentially that question. What difference does it make? In some respects, none. It doesn't feed anyone or give them medication, or bring back a loved one who has died of malnutrition or AIDS. It is a way of saying together that poverty is wrong and we know it. The bible says it is a sin and just maybe the jolt to our conscience will lead us to practical, compassionate action.

By Tuesday afternoon 23.5 million people had stood up in various ways in a total of nearly 12,000 events around the world. This is a Guinness record I'm pleased to be part of and as one follower of Christ I will do my best to make a difference in addressing poverty.