The Story of Stuff

Since its internet debut, over 3 million people have viewed "The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard," and I can now count myself among those who have not only seen it but have been changed by it. In fact, I am going to lay myself on the line and open myself up for criticism at the outset by saying that this video is perhaps the most succinct and most compelling short film that has been released in the last 10 years.

Even before I began rallying leaders and laypersons within my home denomination (through The Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative), God began planting tiny burden-seeds in my heart--seeds that have now grown into a pile of freight that my heart lugs everywhere I go. If you were to open me up and look pull out the hodge-podge contents of my burdened heart, I imagine you would feel like you had reached into Mary Poppin's handbag. Among the things that burden me are consumerism, materialism, environmentalism, and various justice issues too numerous to name.

I guess that these issues have become an integral part of my heartbeat for two reasons:

1. I am one of the worst offenders. I coddle my inner materialist, I think racist thoughts, I excuse my destructive habits. And I do almost nothing to alleviate these problems in my community, much less around the world.

2. I truly believe these would be the issues that Jesus would care the most about if he were here among us still. If you walk in the wake of Jesus' ministry, you will wade through wads of compassion and love. Aren't we to be His hands and feet in His (physical) absense?

Unfortunately, non-Christians have claimed the moral high ground on many of these issues. They are fighting the good fight that too many of us have been unwilling to fight too long. (I have a friend who works with an adoption care ministry who said, "I think alot of people don't take time to see poverty and injustice because they don't want to be accoutnable to fix it.") As I try to articulate the need for agressive action on these things to my fellow believers, I often find it difficult to strike balance between proof and practicality. Either I rely mostly on facts and bore people to death or I rely on hollow emotion that does little to convince the logical listener.

The Story of Stuff does both with clarity as it takes you down the path our "stuff" travels from extraction to disposal. I urge you to watch it with an open mind if you have not already done so. Then, come tell me what you think. If you are unimpressed or even offended, say so. If you are captivated and compelled--and I believe you will be--tell me.

If you are a follower of Christ who truly believes we must love our neighbor, care for the "least of these" with selfless compassion and strive to live sustainable, responsible lives, this video will touch you deeply. It is about 20 minutes long, but well worth the investment. Take it from viewer number 3-million-and-1.

Creating Something Out of Nothing

(Guest Writer - Jonathan Moss, NC)

Creating something out of nothing.

You have heard this phrase used many times and with many connotations. It is used to describe what God did on in those glorious moments when he animated the inanimate and made all the things we see today out of nothing. Nada, zip, zilch. Others apply this statement to a certain time in their life where they accomplished the impossible.

Creating something out of nothing.

I am in this phase of my life. I am enjoying summer as much as the next college student. I have a full-time job where I am able to work temporarily, but it's different. I feel called to ministry, and it's not the church. I work for the rich. I make money for myself.

I was driving the other day, and it hit me. I hate being in a position of greed. I hate being in a situation with no opportunities to do 'ministry.' I mean, what real effect am I having for Him? None that I could count. But I was wrong.

Often times, I feel as though I must be in an environment that is furthering my education, fitting into my vocational "niche," serving God in ministry. But I discovered that Paul, although he was a full-time missionary, provided for himself by making tents. Indeed, Peter and many other disciples, provided for themselves as fisherman while ministering. Jesus used all these men to do amazing things while they were still "gainfully employed."

Why God didn't assign me to a certain church or a certain camp this summer? I don't know, but I can't dwell on the fact that I don't understand why God puts me in certain situations. Instead, I must strive to apply myself to God's will day by day, and be used by Him. While I am casting my fishing nets and assembling my tents, I am still on mission for Him.

You see, God is in the "something from nothing" business. Even my attempts at godliness and righteousness are cut short by sin. If I were left to fight it on my own, I would lose the war against sin. It would be like me bringing a knife to a gunfight. But God, in his awesome providence, has created something out of a whole bunch of nothing.

Creating something out of nothing.

This seems impossible, and it is...except with God. Be reminded that although God allows us to be in less-than-ideal situations for what can seem to be unending lengths of time, we can still be used in that moment for His glory. God is creating something (godliness) out of nothing (you).