Now that I have seen
I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
Now that I have held you
In my own arms
I cannot let go 'til you are
--- Albertine; Brooke Fraser
One of the reasons I am involved in giving money to charity is because I cannot find myself being out on the streets talking and reaching out to the needy. It's not that I don't want to, or that people in need disgust me or anything like that. Mostly, it's because I do not know what to do or what to say or how to reach out.
I know that there are a lot of people in the world who can just walk up to someone and talk to them or give them something and I respect that a lot. However, I am not that bold. I might offer comfort if I go to a home or am out with others for that purpose, but I cannot do it alone, I'm just too shy by nature.
A lot of times I felt pressured to do something and many of those times I find myself frozen, pondering what to do and worrying that I cannot really be a comfort to someone in need and so I found what I can do. I can work hard, I can earn a living and I can give it to someone to help them do the work, someone who has that talent, someone who can be the forerunner while I'm in the background just supporting.
Yet, every now and then I stop and I wonder, is that really enough?
Comments (2)
I can relate. I often feel compelled to do something and just freeze over. I would rather be in the background, helping the person who is bold enough to do what I won't. But I don't think that is the way it should be...but I also don't have any experience or training and sometimes fear I will cause more harm than good. I think those are lies, at least most of the time...true, some people will reject us but some people are so open and willing for someone real to stop and show them they care...or maybe they aren't open to it yet, but seeing us be real and like Jesus will help to change their hearts. Sometimes I do not do things because I am afraid, I am a small woman and I feel vulnerable to attack. I feel like this, in most cases, is wrong, too, I should not be so afraid of losing my life that I will not answer when the Lord calls me to do something. sigh. anyway.
I don't think God usually (I won't say never) asks us to reach out in ways that are completely alien or foreign to us. I think He usually uses talents and abilities that we have. For instance, I help with a children's class at church because I love to do that. My sister, on the other hand, usually helps out by making food for people. I'm good with kids; she's a fantastic cook. I don't feel overwhelmed because God put me in an area that He also gave me abilities in. I think I sometimes have a very narrow definition of what it means to help people, but in many cases I can help people in my own unique way by doing something I love to do. It still gets me out of my comfort zone, but it jives with the person I am and the things I can do.