Jesus, Seen Differently

"Is anyone in the U.S. innocent? Although those at the very pinnacle of the economic pyramid gain the most, millions of us depend - either directly or indirectly - on the exploitation of the lower developing countries for our livelihoods. The resources and cheap labor that feed nearly all our businesses come from places like Indonesia, and very little ever makes it way back. The loans of foreign aid ensure that today's children and their grandchildren will be held hostage. They will have to allow our corporations to ravage their natural resources and will have to forego education, heath, and other social services merely to pay us back. The fact that our own companies already received most of this money to build the power plants, airports, industrial parks does not factor into this formula. Does the excuse that most Americans are unaware of this constitute innocence? Uninformed and intentionally misinformed, yes - but innocent?"

This is from a book I read this summer, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. The author, John Perkins, is not christian (at least is not a christian author). It's a quote that I think about everyday. I think about the God of righteousness and justice, and I think how is our country going to be held accountable for our actions. I believe we are paid with a price and those who trust in the name of Jesus and repent will be spared. But what is our role in all this? What is my role? How are You calling me to live; what will You say to me on that day when I see Your face? Another quote from the book...

"I had seen Christ standing in front of me. He seemed like the same Jesus I had talked with every night when, as a young boy, I shared my thoughts with him after saying my formal prayers. Except that the Jesus of my childhood was fair-skinned and blond, while this one had curly black hair and dark complexion. He bent down and heaved something up to his shoulder. I expected a cross. Instead, I sae a axle of a car with the attached wheel rim protuding above his, head, forming a metallic halo. Grease dripped like blood down his forehead. He staightened, peered into my eyes, and said, "If I were to come now, you would see my differently." I asked him why. "Because," he answered, "the world has changed."

My heart says, Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful person! But the Lord says, Don't be afraid, behold, I make all things new!