Do Something!

Ok, so I have to confess that I have a music addiction!  I own more cd's than any one person in the World should.  I can't help myself.  Songs tend to articulate thoughts and feelings in a way that gets down into your heart and stirs your thoughts.  This morning my soundtrack happened to be

 Matthew West's "Into the Light" album. 

By the way if you don't have it, this cd is a must!  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I love every song on this album, and it is not unusual to catch me singing along with it to the top of my lungs.  Trust me, ask some of my kids church kids.  They have caught me more than once singing and having church in my car.  It is the best because you feel like you are alone with God and for some reason whether people can see me or not in my car just does not matter.  It is one of my best Secret Places to get alone with God. 

 

This morning God chose to use the song "Do Something" to stir my heart and mind.  In fact, I can't stop thinking about it.  Here you have to listen to it.....

 



We look around at the World and get so frustrated by the politics, the crime, and the total loss of morals in our country.  We get angry that people in the World go hungry or homeless when there is plenty to go around.  We see lost and hurting people around us, and we look up and ask God why?  I hear the question all the time... why does God let bad things happen to good people?    My question to you is what are you doing about these things?  We have a voice, we have hands so what are we doing to help those around us?  What are we doing to love people who are hurting?  God created me, and he gave me the ability to reach out to others. 

 

God sent his one and only Son to die on the cross for us so I think He is completely within His rights to ask us to step up.  The Word says that we are to Imitate Christ...

Ephesians 5:1-2

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

 

So if we are to follow God's example, we have some work to do.  We do have the ability to make change in the World around us, but the first step is deciding to get up and "Do Something!" It can be anything.  Get involved with a local homeless shelter, offer to mow the lawn for the elderly lady down the street, volunteer in an after school program, vote in every election (preaching to myself there), smile and say "Hello" when you pass people on the street.  I could go on and on!  Get involved and make your voice heard.  We can't blame God for our own laziness.  It is time we.......

"DO SOMETHING!"

 

 

Two Greatest Commandments

I was recently hanging out with some awesome kids from my church, and we were discussing the two greatest commandments. 

Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”"

 

Obviously we should Love the Lord with all our heart, but how would the world be different if we all began to truly love our neighbor as ourselves?  I was quite tickled by the kids responses.  One little girl piped up and said, "We wouldn't need policeman anymore!"  One little boy said, "Wow, we wouldn't have school bully's anymore!"  It's so true that the act of loving each other could revolutionize our World.  However as adults we ask ourselves, is it even possible? 

 

When we look at the world around us, it is hard to see it free of anger and hate.  It is hard to imagine this World without senseless violence and crime.  The question is are we willing to try?  It all begins with one voice, with one heart working to make a difference in the World around us.  It could be as simple as a note in the mail to someone or a smile as you pass someone on the street.  We tend to be so self consumed that we can't see what is going on around us.  If we were just to take notice of the people around us we would start to see the world differently.  As our perspective changes we can begin to see the effect our presence has on those around us. 

 

Take this Valentines day to change the environment around you.  Give others a gentle smile, a small wave, and a better day.  Loving others will start small but as you see that love change others you will become more brave about loving the world around you.  Follow God's commandments and show others the love that God shows you each and every day.