Crisis.

It is so easy for us to become so consumed with the day-to-day requirements that we forget to look beyond the weather here, the this morning, the to-do list this afternoon, and the party tomorrow evening. We forget to look beyond ourselves to a world that is dying before our eyes.

Violence in the Middle East.

Hopefully that statement comes as no surprise to anyone; violence is present in so many areas of the world, and especially concentrated in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia. However, I think many of us overlook a now-21-day crisis in Gaza, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Not many of us are aware that more than 1,100 Palestinians have died, more than 5,000 Palestinians are injured, countless others homeless refugees. Not many of us are aware that at least 13 Israelis have died and others are injured. Not many of us are aware that it seems as though each day humanitarian aid (food, health supplies, shelter, etc) are turned away or destroyed in attacks on Gaza. Not many of us are aware that each refugee is only given 6 pieces of bread each day.

And we have the audacity to fear and complain about our "hopeless" economic times? Yes, we are in a different position than we were several years ago, economy-wise. But, we are still blessed beyond what we deserve. How can we possibly complain when there is a deadly, heartbreaking crisis happening in Gaza?

Perhaps this is my soapbox for the day, for the week or for the month. I'm not sure why this crisis touches my heart and mind in this way. I've never gone to the Middle East, I don't know anyone personally who lives in Gaza, and I'm not typically one to keep up-to-date on political/national/global events. Certainly violence is nothing new to our minds (although many of us cannot imagine the physical and emotional horror of it), and certainly not to this area of the world. But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't care. So what part of this story gets to me? I'm not sure.

But I am sure that we should be on our knees concerning this situation. We have brothers and sisters in Gaza who are hiding, avoiding and fleeing attacks for their lives.

I am sure that we should be relooking at our current financial state and praising God for His provisions, even now in these "difficult times" (by Western definition, of course).

I am sure that we should be writing Gaza on our hands, on our mirrors, on our doors to remind ourselves of the life-threatening crisis in the Middle East.

Please pray for a strong ceasefire and peace in Gaza. They need us to be their brothers and sisters, even in the midst of our busy schedules of Western lives and worries.