Helping Others

I know many of us are disgusted by some of the things we see on the news, or in our school or work, or even on the streets of our town. Sometimes disgusted is even too shallow of a word because there is so much poverty, hate, and violence. Sometimes our brains revert to the question of, "Why would a loving God let people go through such bad struggles." I once heard this quote from Matthew West's song that had to do with people asking God why He doesn't end all the bad stuff in the world. The next line in the song said, "I did, I created you." The quote shows us that if we want to see change and be a light, we have to go do it. God created us to serve. Matthew 10:8 says, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay." We are called to go out and help people, just like Jesus did. Changing the world starts with you. In the bible, we can see that Paul was the change he wanted to see in the world. Paul set out by foot and preached the glory of Jesus. He helped give hope and love to people that had none, and that hope and love is Jesus. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." You can be a light in people's dark lives. It can be just those little comments and small actions that truly make someone's day. Imagine if you could go out and be that seed of hope for someone every day. Little things can go a long way, both positive and negative. Everything that we as Christians say should be a direct reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every morning when you rise, let God put a special person on your heart that you can go and love on. Let Gods love and joy just shine through you. 1 Corinthians 13:3 says, "If I give all I earn to the poor and give over my body to hardships that I may boast, but don't love, I gain nothing." This is why going out and loving people is the first step to seeing change. When we talk about loving people, this doesn't mean only people who love you back. (Which can be super hard sometimes!) There was one man who truly loved people. He didn't love them because they loved Him back, and He didn't love them for some kind of benefit to Himself. This extraordinary man truly loved people. He preached, He adored helping people, and He even sacrificed Himself for everyone of the world, including you. Let the amazing love of Jesus inspire you to help someone and change this world. It isn't easy, but I know with God it is more than possible!
   -Jaycie:)