convergence

When I hear the same message from different sources at about the same time, I pay attention -- especially if it relates to a subject that's been on my mind.

Such is the case this week. After I wrote the post on microlending Tuesday, I've seen two other blogs discussing poverty:

Monk-in-Training writes about poverty in the world's wealthiest nation, and asks some penetrating questions. He quotes Mark 14:7, "For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish" What really struck me was the phrase, "you can show kindness to them whenever you wish." The truth is, most of the time I don't wish to show kindness. How do I change my heart? How can I live my faith more consistently?

From West Africa, Keith writes about poverty in some of the world's poorest nations, asking, "What will you do?" And in Wichita, Kansas I ask myself, "What can I do?" I could send a check, but is that enough? Does God expect more from me?

I also found the Bono interview I linked to yesterday, in which Bono discusses (among other things) his work with Drop the Debt. Researching further about Bono and debt relief, I found this quote from him: "We are the first generation that can say: we have the cash, we have the drugs, we have the science - but do we have the will? Do we have the will to make poverty history?" Do we have the will? Do I have the will?

That's three references to global poverty in the last two days. When so many people around me are talking about the same thing, I start paying attention.

But what am I going to do? That's the crux of the matter, and I don't yet have a good answer. More on this as the story develops.