"Amazing Grace"

That is the name of the movie I just saw. A movie on the live of William Wilberforce, whose life I mention below in another blog entry, is again, one of my biggest heros. Not so much for his accomplishments, but for his faith to persevere, his ability to rise above opposition, and commitment to just causes. This is what I aspire to. I know I can do nothing "apart from Christ" (John 15:5). Some scenes from the movie that stick out:

- Barbara's admonition to William to "spit out" the bad taste in his mouth, rather than continue to chew it

- Fox's speech about there being great men like Napoleon, who gained prominence from violence, and great men like Wilberforce who gained power to change things through peace

- his "re-discovery" of God as he lays on the wet grass staring at spider webs and flower buds on bushes

For more information on his life, check our this website: http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/special/131christians/wilberforce.html

I think our cohort of late has been struggling with perspective. We prayed over this as a group on thursday. It is not about completing our papers, projects and readings - although these are essential - but rather remaining true to our call in Christ - remaining steadfastly ground in His word and truth so that we can accomplish His purposes on this earth.

It is very clear that Wilberforce did not gain his calling to abolish slavery through earthly means or sheer ambition. Surely nothing of that cause can prompt someone to follow through on it with eternal intent, compassion for the whole person, unless they are powered by the Holy Spirit. Just think what would have happened had Wilberforce given up or given in to personal motives? Perhaps God would have picked someone else - but would that have increased Wilberforce's joy? No. It is a mystery how God calls people to their particular task in this world. I pray I can have ears to listen and courage enough to take His word at the bidding.

I believe William Wilberforce speaks directly to our desire towards holistic development. In a field wrecked by intentions gone wrong and seemingly endless battles - it is a field that begs for more than monetary assistance or intellectual insight. It really requires a desire to use the tools of development to better their soul - to draw their soul toward Christ - their only saviour. That is what I think William Wilberforce believed and propelled him toward abolition.

Sixers game!!

Sixers game!! Yup, that's where I was tonight! I went with Rosa, a student from my cohort. Her second cousin is Joe Smith! (#8) In my opinion, from tonight's game, he's the third best. They won 104-84 over the Knicks - it was a good game! The Knicks did terribly! After sneaking down from our second-level seats, Rosa and I were almost courtside - yeah!! We had gotten these tickets free from one of our professors. I'm not sure how he was able to snag those...

Well, now it's back to my neo-liberalism reading for tomorrow - from, yes, a Christian perspective! I'm very grateful for the diversion of tonight!

Quote of the week (from a Starbucks cup): "The test in life is not how far we go, but where we stand. Will we give in to selfishness and fear, or seek for others what we demand for ourselves: dignity and an equal chance?" - Robert Shrum (political stragegist and NYU fellow)

"Critical Questions" Paper on "Walking with the Poor," by Bryant L. Myers

I found this book extremely helpful in analyzing the Christian response to poverty and development. As I read the book, I caught myself off-guard, thinking I was reading one of my more "spiritual" books, and then reminded myself that this was for a class on international development. Why did it feel so un-textbook-like? Although written like any other academic book concerning development using concepts, definitions and diagrams, this book startled me with a different approach to development than I had ever encountered. Though I found much encouragement through this book, I still carry questions concerning the practical out-workings of the methods described. Yet even without a thorough "weakness" assessment, the author indirectly addresses these concerns through his discussion about the role faith in Christ plays in the realm of development.

Were there any points that addressed a persistent issue you had of reconciling your faith in Christ and your desire to serve Him through development? As I begin these graduate studies, the greatest encouragement I consistently encounter is the admonishment to know God more and how central this is in "success" on the field. Through my studies of political science and development in college and a semester abroad in Ecuador, I found the tenets I learned of development theory relevant and applicable, however a tremendous gap continued to keep me estranged from following this field further. I found no room for application of my faith. I knew an obvious reality existed concerning the consequences of sin and the history and present conditions of poverty, oppression and lies, and the benefits of knowing Christ in this life that could transform more than the soul. I felt burdened with my desire to understand these spiritual and material relationships. However whenever I studied this field previously, a gap seemed to glare at me between the truth of Christ I believed and the realities of situations in this world proved daunting to bridge and reconcile legitimately.

I learned that it is the work of the Evil One to separate these two realms of the material and spiritual. Myers exposed this travesty of modernity by discussing in-depth the ramifications of sin that the development practitioners must understand to see the need for transformational development. If the consequences of sin are total, so must be the assistance that is given. That is where the concept for transformational development comes from - helping the whole person; not compartmentalizing a person's faith, but rather pointing towards the sustaining effects of Christ's work in person's personal life and relationships in all aspects.

However, this might be where development can become too spread thin. If the need for transformational development exists, where should one begin work and how can one analyze the value of each task? This is where the faith of development practitioner and his/or her knowledge come together. Development does not neglect the importance of faith. It highlights its importance! However, the development practitioner must keep in mind the importance of professional analysis and use of tools that anyone in his/or her field might apply. In summary, the Christian development practitioner brings more to the field than knowledge and skill, he/or she brings lasting promise for sustainability through Christ!

Another point from the book which answered an enormous area of tension in my heart was how the development practitioner begins to help a community in love and with genuine concern for their better good? I appreciated Myer's points concerning the importance of knowing entirety of the "story." While he speaks in great depth about the importance of knowing the history and present state of a community from its peoples' point of view, he also refers to the importance of knowing one's own story as the practitioner. If the two worlds of a development practitioners and community citizens come together, the one in a position to help must understand the issues, worldviews and lives of those they seek to help. This issue of transformational development also stresses the importance of knowing and internalizing the Biblical narrative. If one does not understand a community or individual's greater context in the story of redemption, there is no context for past history, present realities, or future hope.

Finally, this book also led me to examine and ask myself questions concerning my past issues, experiences and biases that could influence future work in transformational development. It also dawned on me that any issues I have in my personal relationship with Christ will flesh themselves out in this field. Therefore, personal examination and accountability according to the Word of God is paramount. During a semester study in Ecuador, two years in South Africa and other travels, several questions and issues continue to stir in my heart, calling me to examine them, articulate them and share them with others. Perhaps there is a bit of healing, exploration, or discovery that can lead me to better conclusions, further insights, and direction concerning my future career. Although I felt these murmurings for years and have obeyed them in part, this book highlighted even further the necessity of coming to terms with my own impressions, and changes of heart that arose out of those experiences.

In conclusion, this book has encouraged me towards greater intimacy with Christ in a way I have never experienced before - it simultaneously challenged me to greater levels of professionalism in the field of development. Clearly, God designed a place in this modern world to reconcile Himself with political, economic and social development; "God was pleased... to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19, 20).