These have been hard days. It’s been ten to twelve months like nothing any of us have ever seen before. Many have fallen ill, many have died, many are alone, many have been mistreated, and many are without hope across all sectors of our society and our world.
The church here in America has not been immune. In fact, a large part of the self-proclaimed church in America did, in their good intentions, take their eyes off of Jesus and pin their hopes on a man. They thought God would right the wrongs they saw by using him in a place of power. But I believe he was only acting a part to gain their approval and their votes. He may have done a few things that they approved of, but his character was corrupted by power and pride. His speech was constantly filled with arrogance, contempt, disrespect, and deceit. God will not abide such a man for long.
Now is not the time for the church to lose heart. It’s time to seek God, to repent, to ask and learn what God is calling each of us to do. We are citizens of the United States by fortunate circumstance. We could just as well have been born in the poorest, most isolated place on earth. But if we claim that Christ is our Savior then we are citizens of His kingdom first and that must take precedence.
Find your passion within His kingdom. If your heart cannot rest because you hear the cries of the unborn, then stop waiting for legislators to end abortion. Even when Republicans have had the majority of Congress and the White House, they have not done that. Besides, legislation will not end abortion; it will just drive it underground.
Maybe someday things will be different, but if you care about the unborn now, then find a way to help the mother considering that option. Stop wagging your finger at the single mom wrestling little ones at the grocery store and obviously expecting still another, and pay for her groceries. Help her get them in her car. Stop scowling at the mom getting out her food stamps while you wait in line behind her, and smile at her. Tell her how cute her kids are. Don’t point fingers at the teenage girl down the street when you find out she’s expecting, but find some ways to help her with supplies, support, and encouragement. If your community has a home for moms who need help, support and volunteer. If they don’t, maybe you need to start one. I know I’m talking about small numbers and one person at a time, but that changes the culture and the atmosphere. It gives the next frightened, desperate mom hope that someone will help.
Find your passion within His kingdom. Maybe you can’t sleep at night thinking about people who don’t have enough food or clean water. Find organizations who strive to meet those needs and give more than just your money. Maybe there are immigrants or refugees in your community that need help navigating life and language in a completely new setting. Love them and help them find the way. Offer respect and listen to those who feel oppressed, betrayed, and short-changed because of the color of their skin or the size of their paycheck. Some of you know children who never have warm clothes, adequate school supplies, or anyone to help them with their studies and interests. Step up and help individuals or organize a group that will meet those needs. Some of you are needed to give blood, sign up for organ donation, or volunteer in the health field or at nursing homes.
Find your passion within His kingdom. Some of you are mission minded or can share the Gospel with grace and gentleness. Maybe you are someone who always sees the bright side and the good in people. Write that person a note or encourage them on the phone or by a text. That kind of personal encouragement changes lives. Some are called to pray, perhaps for all of the above, perhaps in a more specific area like praying for the sick. Then pray with faith and see with God’s eyes.
Whatever your work, whatever your station, whatever your passion do these things as unto the Lord. Look to Him alone as the Provider, Restorer, and Savior, never putting your hope in a person. And finally, Philippians 2:3-8…
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God,…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
His Unfolding Grace 