When I was in the early years of Primary School, my mom ran the children’s choir and I loved being part of it. I always loved being in the choir, all through Primary and High School and church choirs. My mom loved the Psalty (The singing song book) songs and so did I and we used to sing many of them. One of my favourite songs had the line “How will the people know unless we show them?”
Over the course of the last two months we have been exposed to two very different ministries, doing very different work in their communities however, they both commit to answering the question that the song asks, “How will the people know unless we show them?”
What don’t the people know that we need to show them?
People need to know that there is a better way. That there is hope. That there is a promise of eternal life where there is no pain, fear, difficulty, injustice or persecution. They need to know that there is a God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who loves them and who sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross that they can have the promise of eternal life.
At first it was difficult for me to fathom the difference that we can possibly make in such a short time in each place – and seeing some of the (seemingly) insurmountable problems faced by the community we live with this month. However, God has been changing my perspective. It is not about promising people that because we love Jesus, because we serve Jesus that we can make their lives better; or that we can somehow miraculously eliminate all of their challenges and difficulties. The Bible says “in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world”.
So even though we may not have the solution to every problem we will encounter, while I may not be able to change some difficult and heartbreaking situations. What I, and we, can do is to share the Good News with all the people we meet. To share with them what Jesus has done for them, and that He offers peace and joy for this life and the NEXT. And that when we are with Him face to face there will be no more pain or suffering, or persecution or injustice. That we will be living the way that He always intended for us to live. That there will be peace, love and joy. Evil will not exist. There will be no darkness only everlasting light.
So for the next 9 months, and for the rest of my life – I want to walk through everyday answering the question “How will the people know unless I show them?” How will the people I meet know love unless I show them? How will the people I meet know peace unless I show them? How will the people I meet know Jesus unless I tell them and show them what He has done for me?
You and I’ve got to have a heart to change the world
Let the song start to share in every boy and girl
Start to share, start to care, from the heart of love
Let the world know that Jesus loves them
Jesus told us to go and share in every land
Over seas, through the hills, across the desert sand
Start to share, start to care, from a heart of love
Let the world know that Jesus loves them
How will the people know? How will the people know?
How will the people know unless we show them?
By God’s grace, in God’s strength, we can change the world
Let the world know that Jesus loves them.
