In our society, it is too easy to separate ourselves from the bad things that happen in our world. Often, out of sight means out of mind and we can quickly push aside our motivation to take action once something is no longer directly in front of us. With so much media fighting for our attention, it takes a concentrated effort on our part to stay focused on the things that God cares about.
Throughout this month we will be looking at many different kinds of injustice. The challenge is to intentionally remember and pray for injustice in our world. So each Monday we will be presenting some sort of action for you to do during the week. Some of the actions include:
- A day without shoes
- A day without water
- Spending time tutoring or reading to a girl in your life, to talk about education of girls.
- And a day without food, where we fast breakfast, lunch and eat dinner with a homeless man or women in your city.
Today, Day 7 of October Justice Awareness we are talking about poverty and asking that for one day this week you go without shoes. Many children in Cambodia and in other developing nations grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk and in danger of the following things:
- A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
- Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
- Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.
On this Action Day we are asking that you take one day this week (today if you can) or a portion of the day and go without shoes. You may not be allowed into some places, but that is part of the injustice of not owning shoes. See what it is like to be restricted in where you can walk and where you can go. As you go through this day, let each step remind you of children who are walking around today without shoes, not by choice, but because of where they were born.
Then, at the end of the day take a Step of Justice. Take a pair of your shoes (not your worst pair) and give them to someone who has none. You can either take them to a homeless shelter, give them to a homeless man or woman in your city, or you could go on to Toms and purchase a pair of Toms shoes and they will donate one pair to someone who has none. The awareness is one thing, but the action is where we do justice.
Share with us on Instagram using the hash tag #stepsofjustice so we can see how it is going for you (we will be doing it over in Cambodia). Do it with a friend, a group of people or on your own. Share your observations and thoughts during and after the day on the Steps Facebook page as well.
***We are also having a contest. Go over and follow the Steps of Justice Instagram page. Then, post a picture of your day without shoes on Instagram with the hash tag #stepsofjustice and the picture with the most likes win’s a ‘do justice’ t-shirt and 5 prayer guides to give away.
