Monday, February 20, 2012

The Lord laid it on my heart today to repost this... and so, I am. ;)


Sometimes, we find it easiest to look the other way.

Sometimes, we believe He isn't talking to us.

Sometimes, we figure someone else will do it.

Sometimes, we blow it off as someone elses responsibility.

But what if... God meant for you to do it?

As we were talking to someone the other day about support for our mission work we heard the all to common comment of 'go ask this church- or go ask that church'.

But what I sometimes think we forget is WE ARE THE CHURCH.

And often times we use the church as our excuse to not have to do what we are called as individuals to do.

We hide behind the title 'the church' and forget the church is made up of individual Christ followers who are all to do their own part.

Because after all, He is a personal God.

Personal to me- and personal to you.

While the church as a whole is powerful enough to knock out the orphan crisis- it's going to take all of us to do our part to make it happen- or it never will.

And yet all too often we sit and we wait...

For someone else to take care of the problem...

For someone else to give...

For someone else to serve...

For someone else to do something about it...

And we excuse ourselves of our individual responsibility.

When perhaps He was talking to us all along...

In the past I have talked a lot on my blog about our ties to money- and what the Lord has been teaching us. As we are raising funds for missions, more than ever before, our eyes are being opened to our cultures connection to the almighty dollar.

And more than ever before- I see how clearly it is the one thing that is bringing us, as a nation, down.

Our love for things...

and our love of self...

Over our love for Him.

I came across this picture the other day and I felt like someone punched me in the gut. I wondered how someone could just look the other way and go on without doing something to help?



But then it hit me..

Aren't we, in essence, doing this exact thing when we- choose that $6.00 latte over giving to missions?

When we choose to take a family vacation instead of giving our tithe?

Choose to have a pedicure over sponsoring a child in need?

Choose to look the other way as the homeless man sits on the corner begging for our help?

Choose a bigger house over adopting a child?

Choose to do nothing- when we could do something?

Choose not to respond.

Roman 14:12 tells us "Each of us will give an account of himself to God."

Belonging to a church isn't enough.

Each one of us, individually, are accountable to God for what we have done for the poor, the helpless, the widow and the orphan.

I once heard someone say the only thing worse than being lost- is being lost and knowing there is no one looking for you. As the body of Christ I believe the Lord is calling each one of us- as individuals- to open our eyes and LOOK. Look for the need and act.

Give.

Serve.

Love.

Take it personal-

Because He does.

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7 comments:

Laurel said...

Just have a fun story to share ..

In January, I posted on my blog your need for funds to add more bedroom space for the children in the orphanage.

A friend of mine (one of our "Adopted Big Kids") saw it and thought, "I wish I had money to give." She then realized that she was planning to spend about $25 to take me out to lunch for my birthday the next week. However ... if she sent the $25 to you, there was a matching grant to make it $50.

So, instead of taking me to lunch or buying me a birthday gift, this sweet friend gave you $50 in honor of my 50th birthday.

Isn't that cool! I was so excited about this "birthday gift".


HUGS!

:) :) :)

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

AMEN!!!! It is soo easy to get caught in stuff.....and instead we need to be caught up in HIM!!!!

Julie said...

Oh boy, I needed to read this tonight. You may have been led to repost this for me:)

Michaela E Stam said...

A good reminder..A good challenge...May we all strive to be His hands in this world. Thanks for posting!

Sophie said...

This past weekend I was involved in a Mission Sunday fundraiser.

While many people did make donations others seemed reluctant to give past their comfort zone. That is heartbreaking for me to witness coming from the church, the body of Christ.

I've been involved in many fundraisers, especially through the church, and have witnessed more women attend fashion shows and throw more money away to win prizes and purchase alcohol than attend fundraisers for mission trips or give for more worthy causes.

I don't understand why this is, especially in the church. Many Christians have become so preoccupied with things that have no eternal value.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for reposting this. You say what is in my heart, and do it so heart-breakingly beautifully. blessings, Shani

Unknown said...

I love your blog!! Thank you for these words!!! So true. We are in the middle of a domestic adoption..praying God will allow us to do it again in the future. Are Guatamalan adoptions from your orphanage an option?? I haven't done research at all on this. But I feel God is telling us not to stop with this one!