Have you ever seen a need and thought…
“Why aren’t we doing something about this?”
“Can I make a difference?”
“Am I the one to help meet this unseen need?”
On one hand, there is this expectation that local social service providers are supposed to be meeting that need. On the other, the church should also be helping meet that need.
When Jesus walked the earth, he often saw people and needs that were unseen. He would stop and engage, and oftentimes invited his disciples into the process. Jesus even went as far as to say that whatever you do to the least seen, you do to him.
When you see the unseen, do you think he invites you into the process?
It’s overwhelming. You and I aren’t Jesus, and you might be thinking it’s hard to even get started. This is because there are commonly believed lies about whether people can actually make a difference.
Here are three lies we often believe.
Lie #1: I’m not equipped to solve this problem.
You pass by the same homeless guy on a walk to your local coffee shop or pass by the same migrant day workers on the way to the hardware store. Their needs are overwhelming. It’s beyond giving them a handout.
Lie #2: I don’t have the time to actually make a difference.
Say that you are willing to solve the problem, and willing to learn about meeting the needs of people. But now, what’s missing is time. You don’t have time to research hours to figure out you could help. And, you wonder if you start to help the needs of others might take over your life.
Lie #3: I don’t know anyone else who could help me or do it with me.
As you think about some of the needs of those who are unseen in your city, you know that you can’t be the only one who wants to help serve and make a difference. You know intuitively that you can’t be a lone ranger but you aren’t sure how to find others who have the same desire to serve as you do.
Explore how others, who are just like you, saw a need and began helping.
- Are you or someone you know battling cancer? Hope has arrived can help you support someone who is battling or has survived cancer.
- Battling Sexual Addition? Check out Made New By Christ to help men you are battling sexual addiction begin to heal.
- Would you like to help those who are incarcerated find hope in Jesus while they are in prison? Connect with our Prison Ministry.
- Not sure where to begin serving families who have newly arrived in your community? Connect with our ministry Immigrants, Internationals & Refugees (IIR) to find out how to come alongside displaced families or to help mobilize your church to respond to the needs of those seeking refuge.