I recently read a magazine article about a human trafficking bust and couldn’t get the story out of my mind. All the next day my life felt too small, too safe. Guilt and shame over what I could be doing overwhelmed me. Have you ever felt that way?
Whenever I hear about any injustice, natural disaster, new diagnosis, charity lacking funds, family in crisis, community in conflict . . . I slip into a bit of despair. Suddenly I feel like I’m letting God down because I’m not saving the world. (Yes, I recognize the irony in that statement).
So as I lay in bed last night I asked Him, “What do You want me to do?” And an unexpected passage of Scripture came to mind:
Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time . . . Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them . . . And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian. (Luke 4:25-27)
These words are spoken by Jesus in a showdown with the Pharisees, but they make a point related to my struggle: Every need doesn’t automatically equal an assignment. In our individualistic culture, we often forget we are part of the body of Christ.
That means we don’t have to do everything. We only need to do our part.
We’re to ask, “God, who do You want to send me to?” In other words, “Who are You asking me to serve?” Being “sent” doesn’t necessarily mean going across the world. It can mean crossing the yard to our neighbor’s house. Or the hallway between the kitchen and our teenager’s room. What matters is not distance but that we are taking obedient action.
Determining who God wants to send us to can be a process, but here are some questions to help us get started:
- What’s a need that makes me feel not just compassion but also passion? Many opportunities will touch our hearts, but few will energize, empower, and engage us in ways that make it clear God wants us to take specific action.
- How can I meet that need with more than just money? We have been given strengths, skills, and spiritual gifts intended to serve the body of Christ and the world beyond. It’s important to look at what we can do with all of who we are rather than only contributing financially.
- How can I meet this need in “Jerusalem, Judea, and the ends of the earth?” That’s where Jesus told us to make disciples. I interpret that to mean ever-widening circles of influence starting with right where we are today.
My husband and I serve at Saving Grace, a transitional home for young women who have aged out of the foster system. That’s where we first met our amazing daughter. The family God has given us is our “Jerusalem.” Saving Grace is our “Judea.” And Compassion International is our “Ends of the Earth.” While there’s much more to those relationships, all three are part of how we’re called to fulfill this God-assigned need: growing leaders who will change the world for Jesus.
It can be easy to go wide and try to do everything for everyone. But we usually just become hopeless and paralyzed (like I did). Then even with good intentions we often end up doing nothing. What can be powerful instead is going deep by discovering the needs God has specifically created us to meet and then doing so in different layers from local to global.
What God asks us to do won’t overwhelm us with guilt and shame. Yes, it will be hard at times. But it will also be a joy as He uses us to serve in ways only we can.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
God already knows the good things He wants us to do, and He has equipped us to do them.
Our role is to simply keep asking, “God, who do You want to send me to today?” Then listen and obey.
****
P.S. My 40th birthday is tomorrow {woo-hoo!} and the gift I want most is for us to all come together to sponsor 40 girls through Compassion International, reminding each one that they are seen and loved.
Would you consider sponsoring a girl through Compassion? I’ve traveled with Compassion and whole-heartedly believe in the good work they’re doing. If you sponsor through this link, Compassion will send you a copy of my new book, Fiercehearted, as a thank-you. We don’t have to do everything, friends, but we can do something! {The link may have trouble on mobile, but it opens easily when using a desktop!}
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Happy Birthday Holley,
May I offer another opportunity as well?? I head up a Foundation – Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. We are much smaller than Compassion Intl. We are run completely by volunteers….no paid staff. We sponsor children in a part of the world that many have forgotten….the Middle East. There are girls that need sponsoring to our Christian school (50% of our school’s population are girls). Did you know that 70% of the women in this part of the world do not even complete a grade school education? Many are caught up in human trafficking and slavery. They have no freedom, no hope, no opportunities. For just $15/mo. you can provide a girl or boy (all of whom are orphans and destitute children) an education, a warm, nourishing meal each day, text books and learning materials, and medical aid). We can do this because we don’t have all the overhead costs. We are a 501c3 non-profit in excellent standing and rate in the 99th percentile according to Charity Navigator criteria. I offer this as just another option if your passion is for children in this part of the world. Very few ministries go there….but we dare to go because if we don’t…..who will?? Check us out: http://redeemerchristianfoundation.org/ Thanks for letting me share here….we can’t save the world, but we can save one life….Amen!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Cathe Tenorio says
I am interested in this and will check it out do you do automatic deductions?
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Cathe,
Yes you can set up automatic deductions for sponsorship or recurring gifts of any amount. Go to the website above and then go to the ” Donate” page and it will give you various options. Would love to have you join the RCF family!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Redeemer Christian Foundation
Summer Rae says
Miss Holley,
Your words always inspire and encourage me. As a young woman I feel as though God has shown me great favor by blessing me with a home and family and a wonderful woman of God to call, “Mama.” Those girls are so blessed to have your guidance. Thank you for sharing; I appreciate the wisdom you bring. May you and your family have a blessed day.
This side of Heaven,
Summer Rae
Michele Morin says
Thanks for the way you just show up and do the thing that God puts on your heart. It’s encouraging to hear that our small acts of obedience can make ever widening ripples of impact for His kingdom.
Jasmine Ruigrok says
Oh how I needed this one! Thankyou so much for your timely thoughts; they have been a guard rail thay my quest for purpose has bumped into and been redirected back to a Christ-focus.
Nyssa says
Holley,
I have been struggling with guilt so much lately about this exact thing (not doing enough)! I just finished reading Katie Davis Majors’ new book, Daring to Hope, and if it doesn’t make you feel convicted, I don’t know what would! I definitely need to keep praying about this. I like the idea of going deep, and really diving into the needs He has presented to us. Thank-you for writing this! Also, thank-you for spreading the word about Compassion. Our compassion child is from Kenya, and he is a true gift to our family!
Beth Williams says
Holley,
Happy 40th birthday Holley!! I pray God blesses you as you’ve blessed us.
All the suffering in this world can make us feel overwhelmed. You want to help everyone everywhere. It’s an impossible task. The important thing to remember is that we are part of a global body-the body of Christ. God has plans for each of us. “We don’t need to do everything. We just need to do our part.” That something looks different for everyone. For a while my “job” was to assist in the care of my aging dad. I went to assisted living to check on him 3-4 times a week. I would help feed him. Doesn’t seem like much, but God told me that is where He wanted me. Everyone has their passions. Mine seems to be the elderly. Tonight our ladies class is making fruit baskets to give to elderly. I also sponsor a little girl from Ninos de Mexico. That is an orphanage in Mexico. Everyone needs to pray about what & where God wants to send them. I love praying for & encouraging people. I send e-mails & texts to brighten people’s days.
Blessings 🙂
Brenda says
Happy Birth(week), Holley. May your 40th be a beautiful celebration of life and joy. — And, this message hits home for me; thank you. I joke sometimes that I’ve been cursed with compassion. Truly a joke, but definitely pains your heart to see needs, and want to help all the people in all the ways. But, that’s God’s job–I just need to pray for my part, and be obedient to it. ♥
Pearl Allard says
Holley!!! This! So much. “I slip into a bit of despair. Suddenly I feel like I’m letting God down because I’m not saving the world. ” Me too. Thank you for clearly showing the irony. Thank you for “giving permission” for us to serve in the ways God has designed us to. Thank you for pointing out that it’s ok to be limited; He is not. Needed this.
And Happy 40th! We sponsor five Compassion kids. It was such a joy to visit our first in Colombia when she was nine. (She’s since graduated out of the program.) Life changing. So amazed how a little love can reach such a long ways. Thank you, Holley!
Rebecca L Jones says
It doesn’t take a village, it takes a planet. I get bummed out about things I can’t do too, so I pray for the Lord to send someone who can.
MaryMargaret says
Thank you for this. I like the question about what are you not only compassionate about but have passion for, something like that, it made me think abut it.
Laura @ Fantastically Four says
I love this so much, Holley! Thank you for helping me focus on what God has called me to, and releasing me of the guilt of not doing it all. And happy birthday!!
Kim B Smith says
Happy Birthday, Holley. I will take a look at your compassion link. I would love to find something like Saving Grace in the Detroit area to volunteer. I too feel the need to run and help so many other Humans, instead, I will ask God the question “God, who do You want to send me to?” Who are You asking me to serve?”. I am longing to make a difference in the world and to surrender to His plan to gain clarity in my business life.
Thank you for this guidance and enjoy celebrating 40!
Darlene Frybarger says
As others have said, this is exactly the way feel. Not only do I despair when I see tragedy or people that are hurting, but also when I am bombarded with mail asking for money for worthy causes. I’m on a fixed income now, and I can’t give to some of the charities I used to and I feel guilty. I love the idea of asking God exactly where he wants me and then just obey.
I also have a Compassion child from Guatemala. She is 7, and a joy for us to know. Happy Birthday, Holley! May Blessings abound!
Theresa Boedeker says
“Who are you asking me to serve?” is a great question. In this world were we hear to many sad stories to even respond to in any manner, this is a question that will keep us sane. Thanks for reminding us to do our part, but in a directed and purposeful manner.
Kemi says
Happy 40th Birthday Holly, wishing you God’s blessings and favour as you begin a new phase of life. May the Lord continue to strengthen your labor of love and make you great.
Lori says
Happy, Happy Birthday Holley!! You are such an amazing light in my life! Thanks for all you do!! Much love and hugs to you on your special day, and every day!!
AMELE says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLEY!
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU! MAY HE GROW YOU UP IN STATURE AND IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD! YOU ARE A BLESSING! MAY YOU AND YOURS ALWAYS BE BLESSED!
LOVE IN CHRIST,
AMELE