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Threads of Hope
LUSAKA She reminded me so much of myself when I was 14 years old: the attitude, rolling of the eyes and smart remarks. When we met in Zambia last year, I saw something in her—that behind the attitude was a quiet insecurity. There was something about her that seemed to scream out in silence and the attitude was only a facade to mask the pain. I remember one night, we were walking home from dinner at a neighbor’s house. She held my hand and leaned in close. Read more...
Compassion in the Everyday
Sometimes we are faced with having to answer the hard questions about ourselves. What are our intentions? What is our agenda? It’s humbling to realize that somewhere along the path, we may have gotten off track. What’s even harder is when it’s not even a “bad” path, but rather one filled with good intentions. This was my recent experience. Read more...
How to Advocate for What You Want
“For such a time as this.” It’s a popular phrase among Christians working on Capitol Hill—which are surprisingly easy to find. Read more...
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So You Want to Travel for Your Job?
I was 22 and freshly graduated from university when I was hired by a large international relief and development organization. I had a bit of real-life experience from my college internships and a confident desire that I wanted to start a career in the nonprofit sector. When I got that job, I had no idea it would involve overseas travel so often—it was a welcome addition to my job description. Being able to travel and see our work in the field, as well as show it off to others, quickly became my favorite part of my job. Read more...
A Guide to Giving
Do you give/donate/tithe money or stuff to nonprofits? Out of the 1 million-plus nonprofits in America, how do you decide which one(s) to give to? Do you spread your giving around for different causes or hone in your most trustworthy organization? Has your giving been primarily based on pulled heart-strings? We’re all called to be good stewards, and giving can be part of that, but we need to take it one step further and make sure nonprofits are really doing good with God’s gifts. [Editor’s note: Check out RELEVANT’s 2011 Gift Guide for some fair-trade, eco-friendly and conscientious gift options.] Read more...
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Becoming More Than a Label
There was a time in my life when I resented being called a nerd. Back then, it was synonymous with teacher’s pet, overachiever and curve breaker. And at a time when my mind and body were changing faster than I could define them, that little word left me feeling confused and alienated. Every humiliation was mine alone; every label another wall. I wasn’t alone, but that’s the thing about labels—they create isolation by separating their victims. They box you off. Read more...
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A New Standard for Creativity
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!Your incense is detestable to me.New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your evil assemblies ...Learn to do right!Seek justice,Encourage the oppressed.Defend the cause of the fatherless,Plead the case of the widow. These are the words of Isaiah to a wayward Israel. God had commissioned the twentysomething prophet Isaiah to bring a warning to His people. The correction that spanned over Isaiah’s 40- to 50-year career as a prophet and writer dealt lovingly, but sternly, with an Israel that had forgotten what it meant to worship their God. Read more...
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Missionaries in Tuxedos
"Why y'all dressed up?" the man asked me, waiting for his drink at the bar. "We're missionaries," I said, unbuttoning the coat of my tuxedo and leaning on the bar. "Y'all are missionaries?" he asked, his eyes wide as he sipped his martini. "Yep." I couldn't help but grin. I looked around to see if anyone else was nearby. Nope. It was just the two of us. Read more...
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