It’s one thing to talk about reaching out to those who are lost and hurting, shining the light of Truth, sharing the love of Christ…
It’s another thing to do it.
Earlier this week I wrote that Jesus has a job for us to do. I shared His words from Matthew 9:36-37:
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” (Matthew 9:36-37)
And I encouraged you, as I encouraged myself, to not get so busy or distracted – or so overwhelmed or discouraged – that we don’t do what God has created us to do, what He has called us to do. What He has commissioned us to do. (Matthew 28:19-20)
But sometimes it’s hard to wrap our heads around what that might look like in our own lives today.
I have some friends who are at this very moment quitting their jobs, packing up or selling all of their belongings, and moving to mission fields overseas. That’s awesome!
But it’s not what God’s called all of us to do. (I type these words, as I lie in bed with a leg that’s been fractured — on and off — since February.)
The reality is that we’re all in different seasons of our lives. We have different commitments and responsibilities, different temperaments and personalities, gifts, skills, abilities, and resources. Different limitations, too.
And that’s okay – because there are a lot of different needs. Truly there’s enough work to go around. A job for everyone. Something each one of us can do.
But what?
I thought maybe over the next couple of days, we could help each other brainstorm ideas — big and small. General and specific. Things that require certain skills or talents – and things that don’t. Things that take time or things that take money – or things that take both.
Things you’ve done in your church or community. Things others have done for you!
The thought being that if we share enough ideas, we’re sure to find ways to give that fit our present circumstances – our time and energy and resources.
As we go down the list, we can each of us pray and ask God to show us what He would have us do. Then we’re not just “hearers” of the Word, but “doers.” (James 1:22)
Will you help me? Will you share your ideas? Would you mind asking some of your friends to share their ideas, too?
I’ll get us started…
1) By the time 99 year old Lillian reaches her 100th birthday, she hopes to have made over a thousand Little Dresses for Africa … the webpage has a simple pillowcase pattern that anyone can follow. Click here to see a three minute video about Lillian.
2) My Nana used to take quiet moments to share her stories with me … to tell me how she first fell in love with Jesus, how He had answered her prayers and touched her heart and life through the years. It had such an impact on me. I’m trying to be more intentional about doing the same thing with my nephews. Talking to them openly and honestly and naturally about my spiritual life – the things Jesus is teaching me. I want them to know what it looks like to have a real relationship with Him, and not just from their parents, but from other adults in their lives.
3) One year, I got a list of the faculty at our local Christian school (which is every bit a mission field as a public school – every Christian school is!) and I mailed notes of encouragement to 2-3 teachers a month, telling them I was praying for them and their students and families.
4) On Pinterest I found this: Kristin Eldridge and her kids use dollar store items to assemble “Blessings Bags” for the homeless, large ziplock bags with basic items like deodorant, toothpaste, and socks that they keep in the car to hand out when they see people in need.
5) As I run my errands or go out and about on any particular day, I can make a point of taking my sunglasses off (indoors), staying off my smartphone while I’m in line, and instead I can intentionally make eye contact with clerks, waitresses, harried mothers, lonely seniors, and others, greeting them warmly, actively listening to what they say, and praying for opportunities to say kind words or speak blessing into their lives.
See what I mean?
What other ways can we connect with others and share the love of Christ with them? What other ministries can we support or participate in?
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