We sat down with Eugene Cho to talk about the impact of starting small, his recent trip to the White House and why this generation needs to be less enamored with the idea of world change and more willing to be changed themselves. COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, WESTERNERS ARE QUITE RICH—AND MANY WOULD SAY THAT SINCE GOD HAS BLESSED US, WE SHOULD BLESS OTHERS. WOULD YOU SAY THIS METRIC OF COMPARISON IS A HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE?
I think there’s a downside with all things. There are pros and cons. We have to be careful of extremes. What is meant to be good, if we’re not careful, can become idolatrous; it can become our righteousness in some way. I think it’s important to be mindful about that. But we cannot ignore the fact that 80 percent of the world lives on less than $10 a day. We just can’t ignore it. This fact is not [meant] to pummel people and to [impose] guilt—that’s not the intent—but when 1.4 billion people live on under 5 quarters a day, I think it has to make us think about the lack of equity in the world. Something is indeed askew with the world. As Christians, it’s not to drive people to guilt, but I think if there are metaphorical tables that we should flip over, that would be one of them. WITH SO MANY NEEDS IN THE WORLD, HOW CAN CHRISTIANS KNOW WHERE AND HOW TO FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS?
As Christians, we have to be committed to the Gospel. And for me, the Gospel is not just personified
in the four spiritual laws. It’s not just our ticket to heaven. I’m not trying to diminish the importance of salvation, but I think it’s about a commitment to the Kingdom—that we don’t have to yearn and wait until that day. As Christians, I think we should be about the work of God, the work of shalom, of restoration, of redemption—all of those things, in all of their simplicity and profundity. So, with that in mind, I think we trust the Holy Spirit to be working within us. There are many causes, and I think that’s good, because there are many needs. But I would caution Christians and Christian organizations: Let’s stop pitting causes and ideas against each other. Trust that the Holy Spirit is
working in the lives of people. One of the best pieces of advice I can give to people is, “You can’t do everything.” And I think one of the reasons we might be a little bit shallow in our generation is because we’re trying to invest ourselves in too many things. So, I would caution folks: Be informed and educated about many things, but go deep in a few things. WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSING MOMENTS OF EMPATHY AND A COMMITMENT TO ACT AND FIGHT FOR CHANGE?
I think part of it is that we live in a very narcissistic world. I think that narcissism is even more tempting today because of all the tools of new media and social media. I mean, we can’t have lunch without telling people what we’re eating or taking pictures of our food. I think the world can go on. I think we just have to realize that we do live in a world where we’re challenged by that, and what I love to encourage people in is taking the step to shut up and listen for a while—to really listen. I love Nehemiah’s response when he’s convicted about [the exile of ] Israel. The Bible says in chapter 1, starting from verse 4, that he prays. He fasts. And if people do the math, historically, scholars say he does this
I WOULD LOVE OUR GENERATION TO TAKE MORE TIME TO LISTEN, TO PRAY, TO ALLOW IT TO BREAK US ... WE SHOULD BE ABOUT THE MARATHON AND NOT ABOUT THE INSTANT JUSTICE GRATIFICATION. REJECTAPATHY.COM
25