While my precious grandmother was still living, anytime an advertisement for starving/injured dogs came on television, Grandmother would say, “Gary, (that’s my Dad) get my pocketbook.”
My dad would tell Grandmother, “Mama, you realize there are starving children and families, right here in this county, right?”
Grandmother would say, “Well yes, but right now I see those dogs.”
Bless her heart, Grandmother didn’t have much at all. But she would have given her last dime to help someone in need.
We all have gifts and focus areas. There are needs to be met, worldwide. Sadly, we often have blinders on to the world not around us, and tend to only think about what is right in front of us that we can see.
My Grandmother’s precious heart, hurting for those dogs was part of who she was. We need people who are passionate and care about all animals and taking care of them. If they did not do it, who would?
But we also need people who are concerned with feeding the hungry people in our communities and worldwide. We need people who are concerned about getting women and children out of abusive homes. We need people who are fighting against the sex trafficking and the powerful men and women who allow it to happen. We need people who will go into brothels and take back the kidnapped women and children. We need people who are willing to fight the witch doctors and hold them accountable, the way Bob Goff does. We need people who will build schools and safe houses in the Middle East. We need people who will fight for victim’s rights and prosecute rapists, no matter how wealthy and powerful they are.
We need people who will provide food, clothing and shelter for the needy. We need people who will speak out against racism. We need people who will speak out against hatred. We need people who will speak out against false teaching.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)
We all have different gifts and talents, and different passions. To reflect Jesus means we need to give our help and talents in areas where God has given us a desire to help and bring change. To reflect Jesus means we are to desire to be righteous. But as we seek to be righteous, let us not become self-righteous, and consumed with being right. Like Pastor Steve always tells us, “If it isn’t good, it isn’t from God.”
I certainly do not enjoy being wrong and most of us want to be right. More than being right, I want to be righteous; living for and reflecting Jesus. There are needs we need to meet that are unseen for many of us … but when we ask God to make us aware of ways we can meet the needs of His children; especially the ones we cannot see. “Open our eyes, Papa. Show us. Make us aware. Use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”