In a world where so much need exists, what are you doing
about it? We are often overwhelmed by
all the pain, unkindness, and need that exists around us. I suppose we collectively think, “One person
can’t really make much difference anyway.”
Then we go on about our business, living as we wish, generally seeking
our own good in a world that would benefit from our sacrifice, not our
self-satisfaction.
I just returned from the Dominican Republic and had the
opportunity to visit ministries that work with children there. It’s appropriate that I mention South Texas
Children’s Home (STCH) International – an organization committed to seeing God work
in the lives of children in that country, as well as in the US, Peru, and Costa
Rica. (https://www.facebook.com/stchm.international/).
Their efforts are making a difference
for Christ, but I want to focus on two Dominicans with whom STCH has partnered
that are individually making a difference.
Raquel is a lovely woman who has a heart for the poor and
those who need to know Christ who began tutoring children on the street. Her ministry expanded to the chicken coop on
her father’s property and continued to grow.
Now she leads a beautiful two-story school that educates 178 children,
helping them know the love of Christ and expanding their learning
opportunities.
Cesar used to be a taxi driver, but when delivering his
clients to their restaurant destinations, noticed orphaned boys waiting to
search through the trash for their next meal.
God impressed on Cesar that the boys needed more than physical food –
they needed to be loved and cared for in the name of Jesus. He enlisted other faithful followers of
Christ to help and began an orphanage for boys, now caring for twenty, ranging
in age from 3-18.
As I write their brief stories, I have to wonder why God hasn’t
done something amazing through MY life?
It’s at this point that we all start to make excuses or point out the
small things that may have been accomplished by those of us who are mildly committed
to making a difference for Christ. But
why not more? What is different about
Raquel and Cesar? They are poorer,
less-educated, and haven’t left the area where they were born. Yet they have seen God work through them and
around them in ways most of us can’t imagine.
This passage in James 5 always has baffled me:
17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no
rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then,
when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its
crops.
Elijah was human, just like me. Just like Raquel and Cesar. Yet God accomplished big things through their
their lives. Certainly, prayer was a huge
part of the process for each of them, so I can be convicted about that! But the biggest difference between them and
me (and perhaps you) is that they DID SOMETHING in response to God’s revelation
of need. When God shows me a need, I
usually expect someone ELSE to do something about it. Or I just change the channel. Maybe it’s time to get up and do something –
anything – that will point people to Jesus.
Then when I ask myself, “Why doesn’t God use me?” The answer will be, “He is.”
Jacob
