By now, many of you probably know that today is World Aids day. Three or more years ago, I would have skimmed right over that news morsel. You know, there is always some kind of day for this and that. Days for things that other people care about. That’s nice that someone cares about such and such, I would think.
Now, I feel like someone has grabbed me by the front of the shirt and forced me to look at the human face of this pandemic.
* 33,000,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS around the world
* Every 13 seconds a child is orphaned because of HIV and AIDS
And it matters. Why? Because it matters to God. I say this because I believe God is a compassionate Father. He longs to be gracious to us (all of us); He rises to show compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice.
Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)
And How about Christ’s compassionate care of the leper (similar in many ways to an HIV infected person of today): “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” FILLED WITH COMPASSION, Jesus reached out his hand and TOUCHED the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.” Mark 1:40-42 (NIV). I do realize that HIV can result from sinful behavior. But Jesus spent so much time with sinners that he was roundly criticized by the religious authority. His response (paraphrased): these are the people that really need Me. They are the people who really need us.
Nothing has put a face on HIV for us like the children Don met in Swaziland this past October. Were the children he held and played with infected with HIV? Almost certainly some of them were. In fact, in one area they visited, the rate found at a medical clinic there was actually 90%. What does this number mean to the kids there? It means parents dying. It means four year olds living alone. It means not knowing where the next meal will come from not to mention the next hug or loving touch. It means hope can be hard to come by.
So what is our response? What can we do? Kay Warren says it like this: HIV/AIDS offers us the opportunity to make the invisible God visible to a world that does not understand what He is like – a caring, compassionate Father. This is done by being filled with compassion and touching the man, woman or child infected and effected by HIV.
No more ignorance. No more shunning. No more excuses.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Proverbs 31:8
…Look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 1 Timothy 6:18
Practical ways to act this out are everywhere. How about start with $5.00? Children’s Hopechest has a program that takes your $5 and my $5 and brings hope for HIV + orphans. http://www.5for50.com/
How about the care point like our own Ludlati that allows orphans and at-risk children to have food to eat, a chance at education and real hope through discipleship.
http://www.knowntome.net/index.php/site/index_community_neighborkids
Whether it is across town or across the ocean, compassion for those who are infected and effected by HIV must be part of the very fabric of who we are… if we want to act like (i.e. follow) Jesus.
