Jeremiah 6:16 speaks about The Lord giving us the free will to choose between right and wrong. It speaks of us standing in front of a cross road and having to choose which road to take. This decision will determine our next chapter in life. However many have failed in choosing the right road for themselves. Many have chosen deception instead of loyalty, wickedness instead of humility, alcohol and drugs instead of sobriety and wisdom; the list is endless. Due to these poor judgments, many have been forced to suffer the consequences. Some experience divorce, while others experience loneliness and abandonment; some have made it to the extreme of being left with nothing and thrown out to the streets to beg and battle because of the choices they made but they do not have to live with these consequences for the rest of their lives.
According to 1 John 4: 119-20 “we love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Sadly that after knowing this, many of us still scorn the homeless, and roll up our car windows pretending to not hear them when they ask us for help. The lesson society is teaching through these actions is truly pitiful. I believe enough is enough.
A few months ago, I received an assignment from my university professor at UNID (Interamiracana Para El Desarollo). For me this wasn’t just any ordinary assignment, because it was a project that called me to action, “te toca a ti” (Its your Turn). This project gave me an opportunity to make a difference in my community by raising awareness so others may have compassion for these men and women who have become invisible in the Orange Walk Community.
Throughout this project, a benevolent experience was appreciated. Getting to know these homeless individuals made me learn that most of them are knowledgeable individuals with hidden talents. One of the many advices gotten from these individuals was “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Their stories made me realize that despite their wrong choices in life they too are talented individuals that have been isolated form our society. Most of them are ambitious and are hungry for the opportunity and the assistance in order to get out of these life walls. Lets make these invisible people from Orange Walk visible once more by opening our doors, welcoming them and supporting them rather than stereotyping and ignoring our spiritual duties.
Hence give without expecting anything in return, love without prejudice and make a difference with your self and your community because we rise by lifting others.
