dear Mr President

I’ve been listening to a lot of Pink lately, especially the song from her latest album called Mr President:

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud? (click here for more)

It’s so common to blame the president for everything that is wrong in society. During my time as an editor for Sydney University’s campus newspaper, we would often fling accusations at Howard for everything ranging from Tampa to our involvement in Iraq. Sometimes it was warranted, as there’s a lot the president (or in our case, the prime minister) can be held accountable for. Perhaps it would be enlightening for our world leaders to hear Pink sing, “let me tell you ‘bout hard work - minimum wage with a baby on the way, rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away”.

However, Jesus said in Matthew 26:11 that humanity will always have poverty to deal with. Hardship, oppression and suffering may come from corrupt leadership, but they are also a part of living in a world that is enslaved by sin. I have great sympathy for our government, as there is no one decision that will end suffering for all. Choices have to be made and consequences have to be weighed up. They are under a lot of pressure to make calls that will benefit the majority of citizens, not just a select few.

We don’t have that burden. Instead, we have the freedom to be generous to those who are disadvantaged and suffering. Instead of always portioning blame to our president, we also need to stop and ask ourselves: what are we doing about the mother on minimum wage with a baby on the way? How are we helping those rebuilding their houses after the bombs took them away?

I love this command in Deuteronomy 15:11.

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

This verse was such a challenge to me this morning, as very rarely do I proactively look for ways that I can be openhanded towards the poor and needy in my land. I’m so proud of my friend, who is involved the Australian League of Immigration Volunteers (ALIV) - a non-profit, non-religious organization which aims to improve the lives of children and families with Bridging Visas or living in Community Detention. Once every couple of months, she visits refugee children and reads to them, plays with them or takes them out on an excursion. I’d like to take a leaf out of her book and do the same. When we are overcome by the suffering apparent in our society, this is one response that will definitely make a difference, whether or not Mr President is listening.

To find out more about how you can volunteer with ALIV or make a donation, click here.