"Other People"

Hey All,

Bear with me. Today, I'm admittedly frustrated. What started off with thinking about MYself and MY fundraising (as if there aren't more important things in the world to think about/to pray for), turned into a blog post about the Church. Funny how that seems to happen.

When praying for the Lord's faithfulness to be demonstrated and proven through my fundraising, which is something He's convicted me to pray for since day one, it dawned on me for the hundredth time. Of course it's supposed to be hard. Of course it's supposed to be frustrating. If it were easy, where would my faith grow? If it all came in from family and from big-wig donors, how would God's faithfulness be shown to non-believers and doubters? So, alright. I get it. Fundraising=difficult/challenging/God is building me up. I am fairly certain I have that one down...again.

But, why don't people give? Out of 900 "friends" on Facebook, easily less than 60 have given. Now, please, don't misunderstand me. I am incredibly thankful for all who have given, supported, and prayed. Some have prayed endlessly and are always asking how they can be in prayer for my team (THAT support freakin' rocks so please don't stop asking!) Some have given $5 of their last paychecks to support me (I'm forever humbled by those gifts), some have given their tithes to me in faith, and some have donated big chunks that I never saw coming. If I sit and look at the names, cards, letters, and dollar signs long enough, you bet I'll tear up in pure gratitude for people who have sacrificed to send me to Africa--not for the sake of me being great or awesome, but for the sake of the Gospel and its power to save lives; not because I can do anything miraculous, but because I believe that God will do miracles through our team if we yield to the Holy Spirit at every turn.

When I look at the issue of modern day slavery/poverty/prostitution (they are all interconnected), I'm faced with similar questions. Why don't people give? Why don't people serve? Why doesn't everyone DO something about it? How can they see the stories, read the news articles, see the faces of girls who have been put through pure hell, and go on living their lives as if it doesn't happen down the street? (Note; some people DO plenty. They start the enditmovement/IJM/Traffick911/Free The Captives/they volunteer/they pray daily/etc. There are people who devote their lives to this cause, and I respect them beyond belief!)

When it comes to just plain doing nothing, underlying is the same reason. We are entirely convinced that "this kind of work" is for "other people". Supporting missionaries is for "other people". BEING a missionary is for "other people". Working with girls who are sold into slavery is for "other people". Getting local law enforcement on board with teaching tactics of pimps to girls in the juvenile system is for "other people". Taking in that prostitute down the street is for "other people".

Let me tell you about these "other people". They don't exist. It's. Just. Us. There is no magically different group of people to take care of the least of these, it's up to you and I.

Everyone expects that "other people" will pick up the slack, bite the bullet, roll up their sleeves, and do what needs to be done. Because, let's face it, doing that work ourselves is just too inconvenient.

Or, maybe the opposite is true. Maybe the devil has used these "other people" to trick you into believing you're insignificant by comparison...into believing that ministry is for "other people". Good relationships centered on Christ are for "other people." Successful marriages are for "other people". College education is for "other people".

Those are powerful lies, alright. But Jesus Christ did not die for "other people". He died for you. He died for us all. We walk in victory when we walk with Christ. No, we don't stride around in arrogance and we don't walk without difficulty, but we DO walk, fully alive in the Spirit.

We're told many lies on a daily basis. Our hearts and minds are under attack, constantly. We're told we can't make a difference, won't be any good, still aren't good enough, will fail if we actually try, and so many others I'm sure you can think of. But the Word and Holy Spirit speak truth into these lies. Jesus calms our hearts and gives us peace. We know, that we know, that we know, that our God is more powerful.

His YES is stronger than satan's NO.

Oh, imagine how we'd live if we really believed all of the promises and truths of God's Word over the lies of the enemy. Imagine how different life would be. Now, go do it. Go walk in the confidence of His Word, and don't let the haters get you down. If there's a calling on your heart, go do it! If you wait around for these "other people", you'll be waiting forever.