I was on Facebook the other day, and I saw a conversation involving someone who is a self-proclaimed atheist. This person said that they'd voluntarily choose hell over serving a God who would keep clean water from kids in Africa. My first reaction to seeing this was…well, just that…to react. I wanted to write, "Well, what are YOU doing for those kids in Africa? What are YOU doing to make this world a better place?" Then, I thought of a better question: "What am I doing?" I really couldn't blame this person for their beliefs. There is a reason that they think our God is an apathetic God. It's because people like me aren't doing what we are created to do which is serve and love God by serving and loving "the least of these." It's time for me to do something.
I recently went to a Matthew West concert. He is currently on his "In The Light" tour which features songs from his new album of the same name. All these songs were written by Matthew and were inspired from real people's stories. (Sidenote: One of his inspirations was one of my best friends. The song titled "We Are The Broken" is about what God has done in his life. Go to iTunes now, buy it, and listen to it! Actually, buy the whole album.) Another song Matthew wrote and one he sang that night was called "Do Something". While listening to it, I couldn't help but think about that Facebook post. I realized that I can't shake my fist at God or anybody else for all the problems in this world. I can't ask God to do something because…in all reality, He already has. He's created me.
"For we are God's masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
– Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
"Do Something"
by Matthew West
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, "How'd we ever get so far down
How's it ever gonna turn around?"
So, I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, "God, why don't You DO SOMETHING?"
Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
I said, "God, why don't You DO SOMETHING?"
He said, "I did. I CREATED YOU!"
If not us, then who?
If not ME and you
RIGHT NOW, it's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
If not NOW, then when?
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It's not enough to do nothing
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
I'm so tired of talking
About how we are God's hands and feet
But it's easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It's alright, "Somebody else will DO SOMETHING."
Well, I don't know about you
But I'm sick and tired of life with no desire
I don't want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
"I'M GONNA DO SOMETHING!"
If not us, then who
If not ME and you
RIGHT NOW, it's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
If not NOW, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It's not enough to do nothing
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill
But we're never gonna change the world
By standing still
No, we WON'T STAND STILL!
No, we WON'T STAND STILL!
No, we WON'T STAND STILL!
If not us, then who
If not ME and you
RIGHT NOW, it's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
If not NOW, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It's not enough to do nothing
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!
