Normally, I’m not one to post articles/links for causes, but today I’m participating in “One Day Without Shoes” (as much as I can in a corporate environment – which is confined to my desk area, for safety reasons – and then when driving and the rest of the day), which is run by TOMS Shoes.

A number of the members of our church have supported TOMS in the past, and several of the guys who serve in the worship band with me have purchased shoes from them in the past and been more than pleased with them.  Why TOMS?

From TOMS website:

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about.

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created a company that would match every pair of shoes sold with a pair given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 140,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.

Most people who know me will can tell you that I rarely wear shoes.  Aside from going to work, it’s probably easier to measure the time I’m actually wearing them, than when I’m not.  However, as I’ve tried (and often failed) to be more aware of my consumer habits and lifestyle, I find that one of the things I take for granted is that “barefoot” is a luxury I take advantage of, but it would be a curse if it was 24/7.

Like clean water, a full fridge, a waterproof roof and a closet full of clean clothes, I have been blessed more than most of the people in the world.  Often, I find the response that comes after gratitude for my abundance is often guilt, because I wouldn’t even know where to begin to tangibly help the poor – because I so rarely see them in my safe suburbia…

So it is nice to support ministries and businesses who have made it their business to help those less fortunate.  TOMS is just one example:

Now, before the accusations come, meeting physical needs of the poor, the widow and the foreigner are not the entirety of what we are supposed to do.  We (the church) are called to make disciples, as well, and we should support and/or participate in evangelistic missions, as well, as we are able.  Whether that means moving and living with the less fortunate to walk side-by-side with them, or supporting those that do, is up to how the Holy Spirit leads each of us.

Even so, humanitarian missions may not be the 100% solution, but if a child lives years longer because of the clean water, food, shelter and clothing they have received, those are additional years in which they can hear, believe, and respond to the gospel and additional years in which they can join in the work of the kingdom, as well.

And that is something that we all should take comfort in.