Facing up to the challenge of HIV and AIDS can bring surprising benefits. Some benefits come as communities work together to help those affected. Some benefits come as people begin to talk openly about subjects they previously felt too embarrassed to talk about. Attitudes, high-risk behaviour and unhelpful traditional practices can change as a result.
However, the most positive result can be in the lives of people who, when they discover they have HIV, come to terms with this and then spend the rest of their lives supporting others. Wonderful stories of love, support and care can result. In God’s kingdom, our lives are measured by our love for Jesus and the people around us, not by what this world considers success. The impact of HIV and AIDS should cause us all to reflect on where our lives are going.
HIV and AIDS provide a great challenge to the world. Only by working together can we rise to meet this challenge.
Discussion
- How does God’s promise to Christians of eternal life with him affect the way we live now?
- How can we share this hope with others who are in despair?
- How can the church lead the way forward in meeting the challenge of HIV and AIDS?
- Jesus showed great love and understanding towards everyone he met. How can we personally become examples of Christ’s love to those around us?
- Safe and welcoming centres where people living with HIV and AIDS can meet can be very important. Do we have such centres in our community? If so, how can we support them? If not, how could one be set up?