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’s Leadership Development Program 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 do them.
Our role is to simply keep asking, “God, who do You want to send me to today?” Then listen and obey.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Holley,
I’ve struggled with this too, sometimes…so many needs…so little me. But, when I try to meet every need, I am robbing other members of the body of Christ of their opportunity to serve. I have also found that God is persistent. If He wants me to serve in a particular area and I say “no” the first go-round, God has a way of bringing it back to me (sometimes several times) until I get the message of Hey, this is where God wants me. I’ve also found that He often picks the most unlikely places…I never would have dreamed He would have me in the epicenter of evil serving persecuted, impoverished, and destitute orphans in Pakistan?! It takes all of us working together doing our God given parts. Great reminders and litmus tests…
Blessings,
Bev
Michele Morin says
Bev, this is so helpful. I see that same truth in the local body — standing with someone else to enable them to serve, rather than just running in with my hair aflame so that something can get checked off the do-list!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Michele,
Love your wording here…how many times have I run in, hair aflame, to fill a need. You made me smile and think twice about what is mine (or not mine) to do 🙂 Have a good week! xx
Brenda says
I often tease that I have the “curse” of compassion. Compassion is a good thing, but it can also be hard on the heart. Thanks for the reminder that “Every need doesn’t automatically equal an assignment.” I’m learning that the one thing that is always my assignment is prayer. Prayer meets my compassion and allows me to give those burdens to One who is always able. 🙂
Joanne Peterson says
Holley, well said. I’ve finally understand I am not called to everything. I’m now more cautious, only doing what God I really hear Him telling me to do. I went through years of what seemed like trying to do everything. I now know something can be serving when called to praying for a cause, a person, diligently. My own plate is full, and I only have so much time and energy to do only what I’m called to do, and do it well. This is a beautiful confirmation. Joanne
Michelle says
Exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you!
“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. ” Precisely where my mind goes every time, I guess I’m not alone. Thank you for giving me perspective 🙂
Lynn D. Morrissey says
Holley, I really think that God laid this message on your heart, and certainly that verse. I don’t even recall ever having read it! Thank you! I was literally just thinking this yesterday–about how the world is spinning relentlessly out of control, and how people everywhere are hurting, hungry, harried, hassled. How they are *dying*. I felt alone and frightened, because I just didn’t know what to do. I don’t want to be a hearer of the Word only. God forbid. But what on earth could I do to save the world?! Your question here is vital: “Whom are you asking me to serve?” You know, Holley, I think we so often ask the Lord, “How do you want me to serve?” We ask His guidance, and we assess our gifts. It’s a huge question and we need the answer. If we forever spin our wheels doing the wrong thing, praying (begging!) for gifts and ministries we don’t have and are not intended to have, then God can’t use us with the gifts we do have. But the “who” is becoming more and more significant in my life. Where, for whom, Lord do you want me use my gifts? I don’t think He lets us off the hook about world problems. We can pray. We can give a response when people ask (like with the horrific Syrian emigration, and how some Christians I know think they should be banned from our country, and I speak up and say it’s wrong…and we have talked to our church about sponsoring a family, and once they come, maybe there is more we can do). And we can send what $ we have. We too sponsor a beautiful Compassion child. But from my little corner of the world, there is only so much I can physically do in a great big world. Your post shines a light on perspective and passion. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in doing what God has called you to do, to whom, and where. This really helped me today.
Love
Lynn
Mary says
Thank you, Holley. I am a problem solver who hurts when others are hurting. Your words brought so much peace to my heart. and some clarity to mind.
Missy Robinson says
Thank you, Holley, for your wonderful words! I struggle with prioritizing what the Lord has put in front of me. With all the information overload, we see so great a need in the world! I love your reminder that we are part of a body, and don’t have to do it all ourselves. Your words always hit close to my heart.
Linda Stoll says
Along the way, it dawned on me that it wasn’t my role to fix, rescue, or save. It was the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to do those things that so easily left me drained of energy.
Embracing that truth frees me up to listen to the direction He gives so I am able to know for sure what is mine to do. And in that grace, a joyous freedom in my roles as counselor, family member, and friend has emerged.
And in this, there is peace!
Marilyn says
My desire to “be all things to all people” comes straight from a heart of pride. I battle that constantly. And it always paralyzes…sometimes physically but many times in effectiveness. Thank you for your wisdom, your truth, and your transparency in the things you write. You always send me straight to the One who can satisfy my soul.
Nancy says
I like this. But you know when you attempt to live it out, you will not always get applause. You will sometimes encounter opposition from others. When we take this position of seeking and doing what God is leading us to do, we will sometimes not fit in with the plans that others have for us. They may get angry. With God’s help we can bear that. We will forgive them and leave their frustration with God. Whew, but this is a position of humility!
Trudy Den Hoed says
As I first started reading this post, I felt choked with tears. I know that despair feeling. So many, many needs. So overwhelming. That verse is so encouraging as is the truth that every need doesn’t equal an assignment. I love your question – “God, who do You want to send me to today?” That takes a load off. There are many who don’t have the financial means or the health to support causes or go out to visit people, and they feel bad, but one person at a time seems more doable. Even an encouraging note to someone or a compliment or “How are you?” to clerks at stores makes a difference in the life of that person. One person at a time to whoever God sends us. 🙂 And we can always pray for others. It’s hard sometimes, but I’m trying to learn when I’m pressed down with so many needs around us to unload those burdens to a loving and compassionate Jesus. To trust His love, power, and grace to work miracles that are not possible in and of ourselves. I once heard of an old woman in a nursing home. She was limited to what she could do, but she didn’t let it discourage her. She said, “I can always pray.” Thank you so much for encouraging my heart today, Holley. Blessings and hugs!
Geri Jones says
It is my job to pray, to ask the Lord for direction, and with His leading move forward, using the gifts of Spirit to those within my grasp. It isn’t my job to intervene when the Lord has someone else in mind to use. Don’t get ahead of God. Rely on His timing. That gives me peace, Isaiah 26:3. Trust in the Lord and He will direct me.
Lina Rochette Hill says
This post was a God send today! I was fretting over all the horrible things happening in the news lately and praying for it all. My heart was so heavy! Thanks for helping to lighten that load with a Godly perspective. Yours was the first email in my inbox today.
Best to you Holley!
DaNae says
This is so on POINT for me today! Thank you for helping me move out of overwhelming analysis paralysis!
Janice Bagby Meyers says
Thank your for sharing your honest struggle with feeling overwhelmed by so many needs in our hurting world. I can relate to your thoughts of shame as I feel insulated from the horror of human trafficking and the cruelty of ISIS persecuting Christians. I appreciate your posting as an encouragement to what my heart needs to hear and your pointing to Jesus to ask Him who and where He wants me to minister.
Ann dutch Mother says
Holly,
Sometimes we are more lead by ambition than by the Spirit…
Some things seem to be bigger in our opninion.
But our heavenly Father does not look at things that way.
Every person counts to Him.
He gave me peace and rest to follow in His footsteps by
taking care of our daughter.
She has had a really bad time.
And has an autism diagnosis.
I loved to be busy in church.
But now the only thing I can do is:
Be there for her. In His Name.
It is a lonely road we travel,
but we feel the peace and love of God
In our quiet home.
Ann. Holland
Kristin says
Excellent! Yes, “do for one what you can’t do for all.” That Andy Stanley idea has become our mantra. It’s overwhelming and disturbing, but we can still do something…and that something means something to someone.
Devi Duerrmeier says
I needed to read this today. We are currently in Frankfurt, Germany, and were here when refugees from Syria starting pouring into Germany. It has been so hard to figure out what God wants us to do in the middle of this, and our hearts are so heavy. Your words brought freedom, and that verse from Luke is powerful reminder.
Stephanie Hinz says
I think we feel so much more pressure these days too, because of social media. We see needs and pleas nonstop! But this was such a refreshing reminder. If we are quick to listen….to God, He will lead and guide us when we ask “who should I go to?” Thanks for this encouragement, Holley!
Beth Williams says
Holley,
No one can “do it all” nor is God calling us to do everything for everyone. The statement: “We don’t have to do everything. We only need to do our part” is so true. God has gifted each of us differently. We need to use those gifts to edify others.. Each of us working together can make a difference We just need to do what we can where we can as often as we can to as many as we can. For now that means visiting my aging dad in assisted living 3X week and helping him, talking with the other residents, and thanking the workers. When possible I send cards, visit people in hospital, always pray for others.
Blessings 🙂
Jackie says
Everyone says God talks to them, I pray and ask what he has in store for me to help but I don’t get answers. I have found a great christain church to go to and I am reading the bible for the 1st time and I repented and I am trying to be a better christain, but it seems like I should be doing more and I feel stuck in a rut. Even tho my health is not that great I still want to help others, I do donate some time by watching preschool kids when church is in.
Jasmine @ Heart in Formation says
Excellent. Thanks for this! While I’m determined to not be like Moses (but God, I have this…but God, I’m like this..) Im learning I’m not always called to act. Love your pointers/guides. Thanks again so much. And you said–its easy to slip into dispair and do nothing…I read a quote: If we wait till we can do everything for everybody instead of something for somebody, we end up doing nothing for nobody.
We keep marching in Love!
Hugs from Holland,
Jasmine
Toni Star says
Like many, I often feel like I should do more to help when bad situations occur. Just this morning, I felt like I should say or do more to help my sister. She recently fell down and had to have surgery. But, I realized that I can’t solve all of her problems. However, I can visit with her, listen to her concerns and when possible, do what I can to make her situation, better.
Thanks so much, Holley, for this post!
Toni
Sonia says
I thank for this word of encouragement and I praise God for the trials and tribulations lord god who do you want me send me today
God bless
Sonia