Several days ago I read an article that just about brought me to tears. It spoke of the rising poverty levels in our nation, affecting disproportionate levels of communities of color as a result of unemployment and the decrease in government benefits that used to help them out ‘until they got back on their feet.’ As a result, 31 million children are living in poverty. 31 million children deal with hunger-related issues, don’t know where they are going to sleep tonight, and/or don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

And my heart is breaking because I know that it does not have to be this way. My heart is heavy because I know that the things that keep these realities in place has much more to do with the political garbage, not only in Washington, DC but at the local level, as politicians on both sides of the aisle are more concerned about winning the next election than meeting the needs of the people. Politicians seem to be more committed in securing their political careers than making sure that every children and every adult in this country has a safe place to sleep tonight.

And you know, let’s just be honest here, the church is not helping. We are not helping because we are too busy siding with these politicians instead of being the prophetic voice that God has called us to be. God has called us to speak against injustice, corruption, exploitation, sin, unrighteousness and the like, but this we cannot do. We are to busy endorsing this candidate and that candidate, too busy trying to make sure our own agenda (notice that I did not say God’s agenda) will be voted on in a way that favors us. Meanwhile, 31 million children are starving, and I am sure that those children could care less about all of the things that we make such a big deal out of. All they want is something to eat.

When will the church, the church in this nation be what it needs to be so that these politicans who are playing with people’s lives will be who they need to be?