I used to struggle with my status. No, not my Facebook status, or even my social or economic status, but my faith status.

I used to struggle with my status as a Christian, and not in a negative way, but more in an arrogant way, a way that had me thinking that because I was Christian, I simply deserved better than everyone else. I would have the same thought running through my mind constantly, "If I serve the only living God, then I should have the best of the best, I CLEARLY deserve better than this!". I couldn't have been further from the truth.

One day, as I was driving home from work, I was listening to 105.9 Shine FM, when the announcer began to talk about this exact same subject. What do people deserve?!? What is it that mankind deserves? In the society that we live in, the answer is very skewed. We think that we deserve not only the basic necessities, but on top of that a nice car, a good house and a white picket fence to keep it all intact, but the reality of the truth is that we don't deserve any of this. "The harsh reality is...that the only thing mankind deserves is an eternity in hell."

I will forever remember this moment in my life, because my heart sunk so low and God opened my eyes to see how truly selfish I as a Christian was being. Its the truth, and its seems so obvious, but whenever we allow ourselves to be consumed by the things of this world, it is so easy to forget. I remember the announcer's next words; "everyday that we wake up, God has already given us much, much more than what we truly deserve"

HOW BLESSED AM I?!? Everyday I wake up, God has given me much more than what I deserve , and when he provides me with clothing, food, water and a roof over my head, how can I not be overcome by the feeling as if I just won the lottery!!! We don't understand how rich we truly, truly are, and its just so hard to when a 1st world society tells us that we can't be happy with our clothes that are 2 months old, a phone that is a already a generation old, or a 2011 car when it is already 2012.

Realizing how much God has truly given me, inspired me to give up my 23rd birthday so that the basic need of water can be given to people around the world. This year, I invite you to donate to my charity water, so that we may be able to share our blessings and riches with others. Rather than giving me a gift, show some love to some homeboys and homegirls in less privileged areas around the world. Even if you wouldn't normally give me a gift, see this as an opportunity to bless others and be a world changer. If you have been sitting on the couch waiting for an opportunity to do something to alleviate pain and suffering in the name of Jesus, see this as your open door. Lets start storing some riches up in heaven together!

I hope that this message finds you all well, and I want to sincerely thank everyone that has spared the time to read my story and to those who choose to donate for my birthday :)

Much love,
Alfonso Aguilar

"At the end of his life, what can a rich, selfish man accomplish that a poor, generous man can't? Nothing, he still dies"