Ten things we should really be talking about

A blog post recently hit the Internet about how there are far more important things to talk about than whether Christian women should wear leggings or not. The blog, Ten Things We Should Get Angry About Before Yoga Pants, presented a list of 10 things that are truly worth talking about.

I was convicted. I have spent a short amount of time in a couple of third-world countries and have experienced what living without simple luxuries such as toilet paper and a mattress feels like. Yet, in the comfort of my home country, I admittedly find myself in conversations on a daily basis, which only prove how spoiled I am. For instance, getting annoyed about how I could not find a plastic spoon for my instant oatmeal this morning was completely unnecessary.

I have compiled a list of things that we, as Texas Baptists, can not only be talking about, but can also begin doing something about. This is hardly even scratching the surface of important topics that can be part of our conversations, but it's a start:

1. It is estimated that 293,000 American youth are currently at risk of becoming victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
2. While the Ebola crisis is dwindling, the need for food and orphan care is increasing in West Africa.
3. Lebanese Christians are caring for and witnessing to 1.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon because of turmoil in their home country.
4. A Sri Lankan flood in December destroyed three foster homes but by God's grace, every family and child were accounted for.
5. With 18.8% of the population struggling with hunger every day, Texas ranks highest in the nation for food insecurity.
6. 70% of childhood deaths worldwide are associated with malnutrition and preventable diseases.
7. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18. This is a topic rarely talked about.
8. Last year, Texas BSM's engaged over 90,000 college students on 110 campuses resulting in 942 new followers of Christ.
9. Baby boomers are turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day and need ministry fit for them.
10. Texas college students are serving on mission all over the world right now and need our thoughts and prayers.

Sure, issues such as modesty for young Christian men and women should be addressed, but when pushed over and over again, the conversation can easily become a hindrance to talking about things that truly edify and educate believers and ultimately bring others to Christ.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

With the social media age, the temptation to engage in unwholesome talk is constant. But on the flip side, it presents the opportunity to invite people to pray, to praise, to be aware, to get involved and to talk about something worthwhile.

We have the choice in the conversations we engage in and initiate. They can either be ones that advocate truth and awareness or ones that argue day in and day out about the latest "what not to wear."

May our conversations always benefit those who listen.