The world is turning into this ginormous village where we see nearly simultaneously what's happening on the opposite side of the globe - where fewer and fewer places are unseen, unreported. There is so much suffering in so many places by so many people groups - it's hard to know where to start when the collection plate passes, or when the folks come around canvassing for this or that cause.
Many people think that unless they do something spectacular or give a lot of money to alleviate hunger or thirst in a third world country, or go on a missions trip to a different continent, that they are not doing what they can. This kind of thinking is fostered in our global village. But sometimes in trying not to miss the forest for the trees, we miss the trees for the forest.
I'm not saying that those causes - whatever they are and however noble they are - aren't worthy. Far from it. But I am saying that we needn't allow others to make us feel guilty if we DON'T go, if we DON'T give to this or that foreign charity across the ocean.
A friend of mine is raising money for a cause that is near and dear to her - being a cancer survivor and seeing how people spend a lot of money to be near their loved ones through such a tough time, well, she's doing what she can. Here's her blog post on that. That's not in a foreign country to her - it's close to home.
There are dozens of people in my own city who don't have a home. There are even more - including children - RIGHT HERE - who go to bed hungry. Who wonder where the next meal is going to come from ... and when. Who are starting over from scratch, having lost everything to alcohol, to abuse, to debt, to unemployment. And in this city there are organizations that help such people. The Food Bank. "The Upper Room" Soup Kitchen. The Salvation Army. Open Door Ministries. Anderson House. Talbot House. Lacey House. Grandmother's House. And that's just within a five-mile radius. All we need to do is open our eyes and look at our own back yard and there are so many people who need to know someone cares. And speaking of the back yard - what about the person across the fence? next door? down the street?
I remember singing this little song in Sunday School and the words are just as profound now as they ever were. It's based on Matthew 5:24: "Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Here are some of the lyrics:
Jesus bids us shine, with a pure, clear light
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, so we must shine:
You in your small corner .... and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine. Shine - for all around
Many kinds of darkness in this world are found:
Sin, and want, and sorrow - so we must shine:
You in your small corner ... and I in mine.
And this is the essence of it. We don't have to make a big splash, or turn everything into a big production. We just need to find our niche - that place where we can make a difference - and go ahead and do it. Whether it's seen by the pastor, the prime minister or the pope for that matter - matters not. Even one candle can dispel the darkness. Even if it's been dark for a VERY long time.
Even if we've never dared let our light shine before. It might flicker - but at least it will light the way for someone who needs it.
Many people think that unless they do something spectacular or give a lot of money to alleviate hunger or thirst in a third world country, or go on a missions trip to a different continent, that they are not doing what they can. This kind of thinking is fostered in our global village. But sometimes in trying not to miss the forest for the trees, we miss the trees for the forest.
I'm not saying that those causes - whatever they are and however noble they are - aren't worthy. Far from it. But I am saying that we needn't allow others to make us feel guilty if we DON'T go, if we DON'T give to this or that foreign charity across the ocean.
A friend of mine is raising money for a cause that is near and dear to her - being a cancer survivor and seeing how people spend a lot of money to be near their loved ones through such a tough time, well, she's doing what she can. Here's her blog post on that. That's not in a foreign country to her - it's close to home.
There are dozens of people in my own city who don't have a home. There are even more - including children - RIGHT HERE - who go to bed hungry. Who wonder where the next meal is going to come from ... and when. Who are starting over from scratch, having lost everything to alcohol, to abuse, to debt, to unemployment. And in this city there are organizations that help such people. The Food Bank. "The Upper Room" Soup Kitchen. The Salvation Army. Open Door Ministries. Anderson House. Talbot House. Lacey House. Grandmother's House. And that's just within a five-mile radius. All we need to do is open our eyes and look at our own back yard and there are so many people who need to know someone cares. And speaking of the back yard - what about the person across the fence? next door? down the street?
I remember singing this little song in Sunday School and the words are just as profound now as they ever were. It's based on Matthew 5:24: "Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Here are some of the lyrics:
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| Found this photo HERE |
Jesus bids us shine, with a pure, clear light
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, so we must shine:
You in your small corner .... and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine. Shine - for all around
Many kinds of darkness in this world are found:
Sin, and want, and sorrow - so we must shine:
You in your small corner ... and I in mine.
And this is the essence of it. We don't have to make a big splash, or turn everything into a big production. We just need to find our niche - that place where we can make a difference - and go ahead and do it. Whether it's seen by the pastor, the prime minister or the pope for that matter - matters not. Even one candle can dispel the darkness. Even if it's been dark for a VERY long time.
Even if we've never dared let our light shine before. It might flicker - but at least it will light the way for someone who needs it.
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