Sympathy is no substitute for action. -David Livingstone
What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. -James 2:14-17
Have you ever met someone who is stands before a chasm in their lives, with a gulf spanning so wide that they cannot cross it on their own? People have told them to just do it and get to the other side…but it’s not that easy. They need assistance.
Doing something takes the focus off you
Our walk is all about glorifying the Lord. And while there is indeed a lot of pain going on in the world, including in our own lives, we can actively be His hands and feet to glorify Him in our service to others. It’s in those things we do for others that they can see God’s blessings.
Much of the writing and media made for Christians, including this agency, consist of comforting messages, and that’s fine. But we can also find how amazingly strong He can make us when we praise Him and redirect our focus onto helping His other children. It can also give us perspective on just how blessed we are, and strengthen us to overcome our own pains.
Prayer is action, too
Don’t mistake prayer for inaction. Prayer is channeling God’s power to where it’s needed. Sometimes, God has already tasked you to do other things for Him.
As an agent once told me, I may be the one lifeline God has thrown to save another. If He has called you to bridge a chasm of hurt and pain, be that bridge. He will strengthen you to handle the load.
Today’s soundtrack
The song “Do Something” by Matthew West hit a nerve with me. In it, he shakes his fist at the sky and asks God why He doesn’t do something about the wrong in the world. God’s response? “I did. I created you.”
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