Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Your Cause

I'm a very blessed man. I know that full well. Regardless of what my past has held for me or what future path my journey may take, I cannot deny that I have experienced the blessings of God. I have become more acutely aware of that over the years--partly due to maturity, partly due to the experience that years of ministry have brought me.

I guess that's why, this year, Lisa and I were confronted with a decision that God put right in our face. His Word is clear that to whom much is given, much is required. So I've been asking myself, "What is it that God would require of me?" I'm not entirely clear on that answer or all that it my entail. But I do know this (actually Lisa and I both do). God was telling us to trash our Christmas lists for each other and do something worthwhile with the money. Rather than adding another sweater to my shelf or some gadget that I may use twice a year, God said to both of us..."bring Me glory."

Now, hear me. I'm not writing this to make you feel guilty about what you have bought for your family or what you have put on your own list. I'm simply writing to tell you that God is asking me for more. And for the first time in my life...maybe, I'm listening.

My job? To find a worthy cause, a strong organization or some place in need of a little bit of financial help. Then, I'm going to take the money I would have spent on Lisa and bless someone else (after all, we've got each other and we don't need much more).The problem isn't finding a cause that's worth supporting or a need that is great. It's in narrowing it down to just one. So, I thought I'd ask you to consider the same. Together, we can all take $10 or $20 (some of us can do much more) to bless some organization that is answering the call of Christ. If you need help finding one that meets your passion, just send me an email. I'll be glad to help. One by one we can all rearrange our priorities to answer the command of Christ.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36 NIV


Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NIV


5 comments:

Shauna said...

My Christmas gift this year is a donation to Reese's Rainbow....an organization dedicated to aiding the adoption of children with special needs, particulary Down Syndrome. Some day my hope is to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, but until that time, I am doing what I can!

Lisa Barron said...

I can tell you I have put more thought into your gift this year than any other year. It has already blessed me. I too am just trying to narrow it down. The needs are great!

I am excited to unwrap what you come up with. I love you.

Chrissy said...

I love this!
For anyone else out there, our agency - Holt International - has SEVERAL aspects that help the orphaned, but they ALSO help adoptive families AND there is Family Preservation - helping families get on their feet so they can stay together.
Awesome idea you two!

Beth Clark said...

Just to add: Our kids are each getting the 1 gift they were hoping for (small gift) and that is due to generous donations coming in from people trying to give our kids a good Christmas. As we've explained to our kids, the gift GETTING is the last thing we'll be consumed with. As a family, we've used whatever money we would have used on each other and our kids and will be using it to support the needs right outside our door in Bangkok! We're also able to use that money to start saving for a trip to the Burmese Border to help build an orphanage. Just one of the oh so many needs out there! The greatest gift we can give is death to self! Super proud to be under a Pastor who openly shares decisions like this!
I hope more and more people read this entry and start a new way of giving this holiday season! Thanks for sharing!

leslie wood said...

wow, you guys gave me something to think about. Thank You