India… the poverty is overwhelming, waiting to jump out at you around every corner. The streets are lined with beggars; some are orphaned children, some have no job, some have been kicked out of their homes for religious reasons. Deformities and illnesses have left some for dead. There are often people bathing or urinating in the streets because they have nowhere else to do these things. Many pick through the garbage in hopes of finding food or something to sell. Many folks won't ask for money; they need food, a shirt, a pair of shoes, or bandages for infected injuries.
Being overwhelmed by this, I decided not to give to anyone since I couldn't help everyone.
After a week and a half, I felt like I couldn't smile at anyone. To do so would mean making eye contact; eye contact sent me for a guilt trip every time! Every night, I would cry myself to sleep because I felt guilty, selfish, helpless, and broken.
Late one night, I was so frustrated, so sick of crying and feeling hopeless for the people of India. "There are sixteen million people in this city, God; I can't help them all!"
Suddenly, I felt like going through my iPod and finding a podcast to listen to. I clicked on one I had downloaded in Thailand; I listen to these podcasts every time they come out, but for whatever reason, hadn't heard this one yet. It is by Pastor Andy Stanley, entitled "Do for One".
I would highly recommend downloading it on iTunes, but the overall principle is this: "do for one what you wish you could do for all".
Eureka! Hearing this podcast, I felt the Lord's answer… just because they beg and it's uncomfortable for you doesn't mean they don't deserve to be treated like human beings. Love them as I have loved them.
It's been about a week since I vowed to put this principle into place. So far, I have found that "doing for one" keeps my heart soft. Doing for no one only harms myself. Giving where and when I can keeps my dependancy on Jesus and my heart full of love.
For example, the other day I brought some leftover fruit from breakfast to a man I pass every day. Bending down and putting my hand on his shoulder, I handed him the fruit and asked, "Aap nar nam kee?" ("What's your name?" in Bengali) with a smile on my face. Doing this made my heart swell with joy when he asked my name and how I was. This also freed me to smile at the rest of the city, though I had nothing to give them.
Today, I volunteered for the first time at Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying. Washing and making beds, cleaning clothes and dishes, serving food, and massaging women's hurting arms and legs are my way of "doing for one".
Some days, "doing for one" means talking to a child on the street who knows English (one of my little friends is so cute!). Another day, it may be giving a woman on the street some change. It could be buying an Indian friend cookies or stopping to have chai (tea) with them. I can "do for one" of my teammates by giving them something they need that I have extra (Tums, anyone?).
When I get home, "doing for one" may mean praying with someone for an hour rather than talking about their problems for an hour. "Doing for one" could be giving someone a ride, buying their lunch, helping them with homework, cleaning for them, or serving them in some other capacity.
I desire for this principle to be one I live by… I'll never be able to fix everyone's problems, but I may be able to help one person. As the Helen Keller quote goes, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
Ask yourself, "How can I 'do for one' today?" Once you have an answer, I challenge you to do it. You have the power to make the world a better place today. Why would you refuse such an opportunity?
