So let’s face it, the world is broken. It seems like sin is running the world. Every where you turn it seems like something bad is happening. School shootings. Rape. Murder. People using others for their own gain. Lying. Cheating. People living on the streets. Working at the dump sorting through trash. And so. much. more.
How can you help? How can I help? It seems hopeless. There are so many different issues around the world and even in your own city. I want to fix it all, but I can’t. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t help at all. Over the past few months I’ve struggled with sin and how dark it is. How it seems like it is running the world. Some days it’s hard to see the light when I get distracted by the darkness around me.
These are some stories about how just searching for and saving ONE is worth the effort.
The Ninety Nine : Matthew 18:12-13
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And it he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”
The Coin : Luke !5:8-10
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Starfish Story : Loren Eisley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”
Okay, so at the end of the day you can’t save the world, and frankly it’s not your job. We’re not super heroes and it’s physically not possible. And we’re not called to save the world. You can’t feed everyone who is hungry or take in every orphan, BUT you can help one. You can give food to one person you see on the streets. If you feel led, you can adopt one child who needs a home.
We’re called to be the light in the darkness.
Matthew 5:16
“Shine your light before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It sucks. It hurts. To see others hurt and not having the ability to fix or save. That’s Jesus’ job. We can shine His light to those around us and help just one person! Even if you just do one thing kind each day, that’s 365 acts of kindness!
I want to encourage you to get out there and help someone today! Ask Jesus what that looks like. It could look like donating to someone’s mission trip, buying someone’s Starbucks whose behind you in the drive through, or maybe fostering or adopting a child. It looks different for everyone, but if we agree that we’re in this together we can change the world together. As one soul is saved, the angels in heaven rejoice.
So here’s the question: What breaks your heart?
Orphans
Sex Trafficking
Homeless
Pollution
The Lost
Of course, it all breaks your heart.
But what shatters it to pieces?
Whatever it is
That’s your mission
Get out there and do something about it
Whether it looks like raising money
Or knocking down doors to help fix it face to face
With God, all things are possible
So, let’s change the world by shining Jesus’ light
