July 3

Read James 1


"²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (Today's New International Version)


Pollution is something that we take for granted these days. We have become immune to it's impact and just see it as a part of the landscape of the world. As long as it doesn't inconvenience me then I simply go along with my life and figure someone else will pick it up/clean it up. The oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico is a prime example of that for people living in Indiana. We seem to think that it doesn't impact us because we can't see it. The reality though is that the oil polluting the gulf does impact us and will impact us for years to come.
Often times we take the same approach to those who are least able to care for themselves; the young and old, the sick, and those broken by the realities of this world. We think it is someone else's job to love them and care for them. We find it much easier to go about our lives with blinders on to the distress in the world. 
Could it be that the pollution of this world is anything that hides the needs of those who are most vulnerable? Have we allowed a focus upon "cleaned up religion" to take our eyes and hearts away from those God wants us to be most concerned with? Have we traded in compassion and mercy for the nice warm feeling that Jesus loves me?


Some thoughts to ponder and talk about with others:

• What is the most pristine, unspoiled, beautiful place you have ever seen? What is the most polluted site that you have been to personally?
• What makes you "blind" to seeing the needs of others? Why do you think that is?
• Who is the most vulnerable person that God has placed in your life today? How have you treated them? How might you treat them tomorrow that would encourage them to know they are loved by God?