MORE PLEASE!

This has to CHANGE...we are not isolated unto ourselves and our (very) little world of Sugar Land...Houston...Texas... THE UNITED STATES. So many things have occured in my life in recent months, making me realize this concept and grow with disgust of our consumption, mindsets, and general selfishness as an American culture.
When you realize that 1.2B people in the world live on less than one dollar a day, and American’s will spend $5 dollars a day on our venti-nonfat-no whip-sugar free- vanilla latte from Starbucks, it is easy to realize where my suffocation with our habits has formed from. First of all, lets make it clear; I love my country, I love a splurge every once and a while...and I also see the error of my often overly consuming and selfish ways.
I came back from Piedras Negras, Mexico a couple of weeks ago, and I have never felt more convicted of my habits. To be in a country having so much less than we do in a material sense, yet having so much more than we in every other way, is truly humbling. During my time in Mexico I noticed a sense of community, a sense of family, gratefulness for sheer neccesities met, giving spirits and a sense of unjaded vulnerablilty in interaction I’ve never experienced before...even within my own family at times.
All of this was a shock to my system seeing as I have NEVER been outside of my own comfort zone. Suddenly, "stuff" just didn’t seem that important. I asked myself, "Why do I need to go shopping for clothes once a week? Do I really need to drive that much? Why I am questing for MORE money all of the time?" Then I realized, "Oh yeah, I am American. It is our culture." Shame on us. We work so hard for empty items, stress so much, and don’t share our blessings with the less fortunate, enough.
We need to gain information, go out and search, open our minds, give of ourselves more. Our world can not keep on this path. A path filled with trying to gain more for only ourselves and our country; yet regarding the rest of the world and all the rest of GOD’s people with little care or concern. We must stop with phrases like, " If they don’t like it, they can go back to their country!" And honestly, I if I see one more rebel flag bumper sticker on a car , I will surely FREAK out!
This is not what it is about...isolation, pride beyond grace, prejudices, self-serving attitudes or having MORE. This life is about simplicity in CHRIST,a desire to live for HIM, shared blessings, tolerance and a love for others beyond politics or income. Do not be guilded in this world. For none of us are beyond, poverty, pain, lack of faith or suffering. Slow down, breathe, quit working so hard for hollow things...I will take my own advice.
J
Check out this video...a little intense, but should be seen:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s