Remember a few weeks ago I had some questions about… OK God do you really care that people are dying from hunger or that little helpless kids who can’t help themselves are dying because there is no food for them. Do you care about poverty, people dying with cancer, families being destroyed by all forms of abuse? Anyway… Last night at our Wayfarer Wives we were talking about all of that in a book we are reading my Dan Allendar.. To Be Told. And this really helped me.
So has God abandoned his people? No, he has sent you and me. And it is when we realize he has nudged us into action, to care, to fight, that our awe at His plan takes our breath away. It is all so odd. He builds burdens in us through our own experience of being orphaned, exiled, and widowed. And then He uses those losses to deepen our war with him which, of course, He wins again and again as we surrender to his goodness. In turn He sends us to live out our burdens with those who need us but who, in the long run, end up bringing us more than we could ever offer them.”
Is that not so true? Everyone has there role to play and only you can determine what that is. And don’t be surprised when God uses something very ugly and bad in your life to then help restore other people who are experiencing the same. That is How God works.
Wendy said last night… If every Believing Family in the world took it upon themselves to invest in one other family who has needs of food, shelter, emotional and physical needs… .just helping one other family… Doing what the bible says… taking care of the poor, widowed, orphaned… Then it would end poverty, it would make sure that every child had a home and a family and needs would be met. But somehow we just don’t get that. I don’t know if it is because people are afraid or don’t know where to start. But one person can make a difference. If everyone took on that attitude then God would meet more people’s needs because he could do it through US. He is looking to restore things but is needing to do that through his people. He needs us and in turn we get the blessing.
Any of you have thoughts or comments on this? Do you think that we can change the world?
Kim:
I think your comments are good in theory — but when it comes down to reality do we WANT to do it? Case in point: we have a young man in our congregation who does not have a home and needs to be “put up” for maybe months. We have two folks so far that have given him a place to stay for 2 weeks at a time. Ok, do I want to do that? No. Would you? most probably not…….but that’s where the rubber hits the road — it’s easy to say “I want to change the world by helping one family…..but will I even put a “homeless man” up for two weeks? My excuse, and it’s a good one, I’d feel uncomfortable because David is gone so much. As long as the thought is only “theory” its easy….here it is at my front door. I still really feel like “no” is the right answer (because of Kayleigh and a number of other excuses….) but we can have excuses for not wanting to do anything, right? What do you think?
Wow yes that is a tough one… And in this thing called life you also have to make wise choices. So in your case… if it were me, it’s not a wise choice to have a man in your home with Kayleigh and you and your husband who is gone often. Just not a good set up but that still does not mean you can’t be part of finding a solution to the problem if it’s something that you feel lead to do. So you could brainstorm things and ways that you could help. You are great at organizations and details… you are heading up girlfriends…. maybe you could be the person who makes sure this young guy has places to stay. Maybe you can be the one who finds homes or a place for him that is suitable and that would work. Maybe you could be the one who makes sure this guy does not slip through the cracks. Maybe you could challenge other people to get in the game and meet a need. The reality is that everyday there are people with many many needs and we can’t take them all on and meet all of them. But when you find one that crosses your path you can always take the opportunity to be challenged on what can I do? Which I know you basically do and live everyday. That is part of the call of a pastors wife. There will always be reasons why you can’t do something. I really struggled not going to Haiti because I’ve got some young kids and there is always risk and is it good for me to do this at this time in my life? Probably not but at the same time I know that I’ll always have an excuse.
So all that to say… I don’t know what it will take to Change the World but it has to start with a group of us saying we see a need and we are going to go out of our way to do something about it. Knowing all along that we can ony do so much…..