Crisis and Compassion

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

There is an epidemic of crisis in our fallen world, true crisis that many Americans are fortunate enough to never experience.  The numbers are staggering.  There are 16,000 children dying daily from hunger in the world - one child every five seconds!  (Bread for the World)  Several thousand others die daily from preventable diseases.  There are 27 million (yes million!) people in modern day slavery across the world - most are women and children trapped in human trafficking.  An estimated one million children globally are exploited by the sex trade each year.  (Polaris Project) Incomprehensible numbers of babies are dying daily due to abortion.  (abort73.com)  A child every 23 seconds dies in the US alone due to abortion.  (Life Issues Institute).   Staggering statistics that break my heart, bring me to my knees, and bring me to tears.  These statistics seem so unreal, so out-of-touch with our comfortable, American Dream lifestyle.  While I am feeding my chickens, watering my rabbits, petting my doggies, picking my flowers, weeding my vegetable garden, and playing with my kids, there is tribulation in this world. Children are dying.  Right now!

With hearts that naturally seek comfort and ease and turn away from harsh realities, God has softened our hearts to see the tribulation around the world and in our own communities.  He has caused us to see, really see, other people crisis and to respond with compassion.  As our hearts fight for the needs of the orphan and the rights of the unborn, we cannot turn away from the crisis that often accompanies those who choose to parent "unplanned" or "unprepared for" children.  So many young, single moms and dads find themselves struggling and in crisis and the church is often uncomfortably and purposefully, blind to these crises.  It is hard for our American Dream living churches to step into the mess of poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, neglect, and abuse that families in crisis often find themselves in.

With the peace of God urging us to take heart, we are moved to live in a way that no longer turns away from the harsh realities of the world around us.  We are motivated to live a radically different lifestyle, and to some that looks rather crazy.  Sometimes it sounds crazy even to us.  On the spur of the moment we may add a few extra kids to our family for a matter of days or weeks while their mom finishes school or seeks a place in a homeless shelter or finds safety from domestic violence.  Yes, it is crazy some days to consider adding more mess and stress to our lives.  But we have each been blessed to be a blessing.  Each child in our home has gifts, talents, and resources that they are able to use as a blessing to others.  Our children have a purpose right now to make a difference in another child's life with our help and guidance.  What a treat it is to be able to come alongside our children and encourage them in taking heart in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering and trials.  How sweet it has been to work alongside Safe Families for Children to extend compassion and care for families in crisis.

I urge you to consider ways in which you can live a RADICAL life for His glory.  Contact Safe Families for Children and find out practical ways that you can volunteer to be a friend to a family in crisis, a resource provider to the local church reaching out to families, or a host home.  Pray for the church to take heart in God's sovereignty in a world of tribulation and to step out in faith as His hands and feet, ministering to the hearts of the hurting.