I believed in karma. Or what my favorite conservative radio show host at the time called “personal responsibility.”
If you work hard, make good choices, do your best – I thought – you’ll succeed. This is the inevitable consequence of a job well done. And if you’re not successful – if you don’t have enough food, your roof leaks, you’re unemployed – well, you haven’t worked hard, made good choices and done your best. We get what we deserve.
Though I wouldn’t have called it that, I believed in karma.
Then a radio station took a group of listeners to Ecuador on a mission trip in 2002 and brought me along as the “celebrity” guest. My dad got to come too.
We grew beards, skipped showers, carried rocks, mixed cement and stacked bricks.
We played with kids and I even got to open for a local band putting on a concert at a nearby church.
And along the way I began to doubt karma.
A pastor in Otavalo told me that one morning everyone in Ecuador woke up to discover they were much poorer. The government, he said, moved the decimal point overnight. Two places to the left. A person who had worked hard and saved $20,000 woke up that day with $200.
Karma is hard to believe in outside of America’s suburbs. Karma is blindly optimistic. It tells us life is fair, there is no evil, justice always prevails, the principalities and powers are always benevolent and trustworthy, the playing field is even.
Ecuador was the first step of my long journey from karma to compassion. And I’m going back. This time leading a group of Compassion Bloggers alums on a trip to see Compassion International’s ministry to children there.
I’m bringing my friends Ann, Kelly, Amanda, Melanie, Sophie, Patricia and Keely with me. We’ll spend a couple days visiting Compassion child development centers in the mountainous region in and around Quito before making the trek to the secluded villages of the Amazon rainforest where we’ll visit the piranas, poisonous spiders and man-eating snakes.
We’ll get started on November 8th and post from Ecuador for the last time on November 12th. You can follow the whole trip at compassionbloggers.com/ecuador or use the shortcut bit.ly/cibloggers.
Once again our hope is that hundreds of children in the developing world will be sponsored through this trip. And that tens of thousands of readers will be moved from karma to compassion.
Pray for us? For us all?
Angie says:
Looking forward to following your trip.
That is quite the all star blogger panel you have there. Nice.
Praying for you all and that 100’s of kiddos get sponsored.
Sillydoodah (Dawn) says:
What a lineup! We will pray for all of you. And for all the readers touched by this. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
Amanda says:
Wow, what an awesome group if ladies you have joining you. I cannot wait to read all their posts.
Jonathan says:
Execllent thoughts! Thank you for writing this. I know far too many people who view the world as you once did. I hope your thinking will eventually penetrate theirs as well. Blessings to you on your trip, and I’m excited to hear what God will do in the lives of everyone there!
Karen says:
If you need an interpreter I speak Spanish fluently! REALLY! ๐
My prayers will go with all of you and will also be for the families left here. Can’t wait to follow.
The first blogging tour I followed was last year’s to Guatemala. It rocked my world and pulled us closer in to Compassion’s ministry circle!
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for the offer ; )
Karen says:
ANY time! ๐ I grew up in Venezuela and Colombia and that blood runs in my veins!
Ethan says:
Wow. Excellent post and a very pertinent topic for me. One of the things I’ve been learning over the past several months is the issue of God’s mind-boggling rescue and reclamation plan. I realized that I, along with many of my loved ones that carry heavy influence with me, had long bought into a “karma” laden Gospel. Work hard and make good choices, and God will clear the Red Sea for you. I read that belief into all the Bible stories I studied.
I’m coming to believe that God just might be a little bigger than that.
Thanks.
Shaun Groves says:
Are you reading anything in particular that’s changed your heart and mind on all this, Ethan?
Ethan says:
Thanks for responding! I’ve been reading quite a bit; nothing published, really, but a lot of blogs and listening to many, many sermons, mostly online. I’ve been exploring the community of “online” Christians lately, and much of the writing has been talking about what the gospel is and what it means for 21st century Christians in an affluent, suburban American culture. I actually find myself encountering the idea of a strong gospel quite frequently. A gospel that’s much more penetrating and powerful than I’ve ever thought it might be.
Of course, with that comes the danger of ingesting advice or ideas that don’t resonate with the scriptures or the conviction of the Spirit. I’ve done that a few times, and had to repent after the fruit proved to be bad. But I think the Spirit is faithfully cultivating and weeding – it’s been a tremendous growth period for me.
Many of the blogs I read almost daily are Donald Miller, David Fitch, Tony Jones, Peter Rollins, and many, many “regular Joes” that I’ve found through their comment sections, along with many other men and women that they reference. Also, and I can’t really express how true this is – your blog has stirred up the Holy Spirit so often and deeply that I can’t help but talk about it with all my friends and family members. I think they’re getting a little sick of hearing me say, “You know, Shaun Groves wrote something related to that…” in coversation. I also listen to a lot of Andy Stanley’s sermons, along with sermons from a dozen or so churches that I’ve either stumbled across online or visited or attended in the past.
So yeah, there’s not really an article or book I can hold up and declare to be a perspective-changing work, but it’s more the process of time and ideas of many other people rolling around my brain until something – I hope it’s God – says, “That right there? That’s important. It’s almost like it was in the Bible… because, you know, it is.”
I don’t think I’ve arrived anywhere yet, but I am aware that I’m on a journey, and I trust the Living God to do good, even if it doesn’t fit with my conception of that. The hard part is surrendering to God so he can transform me from living as I desire to what he desires. That part’s tough, but so worth it.
I’ll stop rambling now. See? You opened a door and off I went. I tend to do that at times.
Thanks Shaun. You’re a tremendous blessing.
Kelly says:
Ethan- run out today and grab Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright and The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight. Seriously- they will rock your world and make you never look at Christianity the same way again b/c what God is doing in our world RIGHT NOW is SO big and SO good and he invites US to be a part of it. It’s changing my life anyway. ๐
Ethan says:
I will Amazon them right now! Thanks Kelly!
Ethan says:
Kelly! Thanks so much! I had seen the promo video for The King Jesus Gospel a few weeks ago and thought, “I need to read this.” I had forgotten all about it. Thank you for recommending it; I’m so excited to get it!
Kelly says:
Great! I’m at the point now of trying to figure out what to do with all I’m learning- praying that God will never again let me settle into comfortable consumer Christianity. It’s been a long journey for me and I never want to go back! Happy reading. ๐
Christine says:
I’m going to Quito and Otavalo next weekend with Compassion Canada! Oct 22-29. I’ll get the kids warmed up for you. ๐
Shaun Groves says:
Brace yourself for the landing, Christine. It’s a steep plummet over the mountains and down to the runway in Quito. And be sure and eat guinea pig if you get a chance. In a burger. Yum. Seriously.
Christine says:
I’ve heard that about the landing. Can’t say the same about the guinea pig. I’ll wait to see if it appears on the menu!
Aimee says:
Can’t wait to read all about your time in Ecuador, Christine! I just know that it’s going to be a great experience for you and the whole Canadian team.
I will be checking The Loop often! Will you be posting on your blog as well?
Christine says:
Thanks, Aimee! I almost can’t believe it’s about to happen. It’s been a journey and I was certain at points that it wasn’t going to be possible. I am hoping to blog.
JessicaB says:
You’re just recycling bloggers now? ๐ That’s kind of a real bummer.
Looking forward to the posts though. Hope it all goes well.
Shaun Groves says:
I’ve got no one to blame but me for this choice, Jessica. It was my call. I think there are huge benefits to occasionally putting together a team of alums. I think.
I could be wrong.
Of course, if I am, I already know these people well enough to know lots of kids will be sponsored and we’ll have a good time at the very least. That’s something right? ; )
JessicaB says:
Yes, it’s something. A rather big something, at that. ๐
Jenny says:
So excited for y’all… Ecuador was my first mission trip in 2001… it ROCKED my world. Like, forever. Will be praying for y’all!
donna says:
what a beautiful blogger team to celebrate compassion!
praying for hundreds of beautiful compassion children to be sponsored … and for Christ to be glorified in every way!
blessings on you all as you prepare.
Adam says:
I had some similar experiences in China. I appreciate your bringing this to light for us. For me, no matter how much I have experienced it…it is still so foreign to me and over time gets more and more lost on me. I need these reminders.
Kelly says:
So- completely unrelated to this post and notsospiritual BUT- couldn’t help but notice your Cedarville sweatshirt. I would bet almost anything that you got it the fall before the pictured trip for performing with Bebo Norman- and Katy Hudson- who is now Katy Perry. Did you realize that you opened a show for Katy Perry? Or she opened for you (you both opened for Bebo?)- I can’t remember- but anyway- just a random fun fact. ๐
Kelli says:
Yay! I am excited to read about this trip! So many great people and posts to look forward to. I LOVE Compassion Blogger trips. Will be praying!
Aimee says:
Can’t wait to read all the blog posts from Ecuador! You’ve got a great group of alumni bloggers going on this trip. It’s going to be awesome!
Becky says:
Luuuuuuuv this post. Both the trip info and the lesson on karma. Excellent, excellent. Thank you.
sara says:
I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Ecuador! Six of my compassion kids (not to mention my heart) are in Ecuador. I just got back this summer from my third trip there.
Do you know what cities or projects you are going to visit?
Ashley says:
I’m so happy to hear that y’all will be in Ecuador; I’m really looking forward to following your trip. Our Compassion child, Lizeth, lives there – I can’t wait to get a peek into what life looks like for her there. I’m praying for your trip and all who you’ll encounter there.
Grace and peace,
Ashley
Zoรซ says:
I have never understood that ‘karma’ attitude. It makes me want to smack people . . . which is probably *not* the best response. But then, I’ve had a tough life so the ‘if you work hard/read your bible/do good it will all be fine’ I used to find utterly bewildering, because despite me trying desperately to ‘follow the rules’, life had other ideas.
Often Christians ignore the suffering of others, even within their own churches, because they reason that ‘so-and-so must have brought it on themselves’ (and even if they have – so what? Jesus showed compassion to all). I blamed myself for so many years.
Now I am realising that my life is not all maggoty and rotten and damaged, God is using what I’ve been through. And now my compassion (and being part of Compassion UK) is God’s grace. I am awed.
Anyway, better get off my backside and on with my jobs. I am in awe of God, but I ain’t serving him sitting here any longer lol! Thanks, Shaun, you make me *think* every time you post ๐
Marla Taviano says:
This team is perfection. Some of my favorite people in the universe. And I think it’s time for an alum team. Speaking of alums, I graduated from Cedarville. What’s the story behind your shirt?
Alice says:
I agree with Marla, this team is perfection! By putting this group together, I believe you have given the unsponsored kids of Ecuador their best hope of getting sponsored. I look forward to following along and will be praying for each of you and your families.
Marian says:
Very much looking forward to reading about the trip and loved Ann’s blog this week…the dish towels and the sponsoring of 10 children! There’s something so right to know that the people who God uses publicly to speak with his voice are willing to put his resources in the places that matter… It’s a privilege to watch and learn from–and the humility is contagious.
Safe travels. And thanks for exposing the karma fallacy. I think I have been there, too, until like you said–traveling overseas and meeting others who are poorer in spirit and richer in love and realizing–I don’t deserve what I have, nor have I worked for it. It was a matter of latitude and longitude and God trusting that perhaps someday… I would let go for the good of others.
Kathryn says:
Shaun, you picked the right bloggers in my opinion and I am enjoying their posts. Ann made me fall off the wagon so to speak as we sponsored our 15th child today and you are not done your trip, yet! Nothing much more thrilling than sponsorship. Blessings to you all!