Act

Act

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

MY DAUGHTER JASMINE AND I were running errands around town when she asked me about human trafficking. Concerned over several posts she’d seen on social media, she wanted to know more about it. I started to tell her the things I had learned, statistics I’d read and organizations I knew were helping. Jasmine listened intently, and then I stopped midsentence, as a new thought crossed my mind.

“You know,” I said, “I could keep telling you what I know, but I have a better idea. When we get home, why don’t you look up some facts about human trafficking and then find organizations who are helping? You could share with the rest of the family at supper. It’s been a while since we’ve offered assistance to an organization. Let’s decide as a family a place we could support.” Jasmine agreed.

When we got home, she took my computer and spent time researching statistics and finding a couple of organizations that are helping those being trafficked. That night at dinner, she explained to the rest of the family what she had learned, and together we decided to donate to an organization that is fighting human trafficking in this country and abroad. Jasmine ended our time by praying for all those affected by trafficking. I was proud of her for taking the initiative to learn about a problem and then act to do something about it.

As Christians, we aren’t just called to show concern for what is happening in the world, but to also act. Sometimes the problems seem so large that we can become paralyzed by fear or worry that whatever we would do wouldn’t really make that much of a difference anyway. But God is clear: We are to do good and seek justice. We are to help the oppressed, defend the orphan, and fight for widows. In short, we are to act. Don’t worry about the size of the action. If we all do something, it’ll add up quickly.

Lord, may we be people of prayer, with our hearts turned toward the concerns of the world, and may we be moved to act by what we see. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: What is a cause that you have a passion for? Find an organization that is working in that area, and then take an action step to partner with them.