Heartbreak and Tragedy

     In the month of January 2013, several tragedies occurred in our community. Many of the Arms Wide Open kids were intertwined in these events and held those most affected very close to their hearts. I am still reeling myself as we all suffer the aftershocks of these tragedies and I stand by nearly helpless as I watch the hearts of those I love the most break. This is a wake-up call for our community, and though several upstanding citizens, community officials, and Christian leaders have stepped up to answer that call and do what they can to make a difference in the prevention of future such tragedies, I can already tell that many are slipping back into their slumber of oblivion and do not feel a responsibility to become involved. If you are a Christian you are commanded by our Father to reach out to those around us who are lost, hurting, and in need, particularly "orphans and widows." If these kids are not "legally" orphans because their parents are still living, they are at least spiritual orphans because their parents are either unable or unwilling to parent them. Many of the kids involved in my ministry (and not just my ministry, other local ministries and programs--such as His Hands and others) are not only literal orphans but they are spiritual orphans who have never been shown the love of our Father. What hope do they have in this world if they know not love, and all of the "Christians" around them refuse to be the love of Christ to them?

     The uncaring attitudes of many in our community saddens me, but it will not stop me from answering the call I hear so loudly. If I stand alone (and I know I do not because I do see those around me answering the call alongside me) I will answer the call and be obedient to the scriptures which beseech us to love the "least of these," and not just because in doing so we are loving Christ himself. Because the love of Christ is so strong in us that NOT loving them is not an option. How strong is the love of Christ in you? Can you answer the call? There are countless ways to do so--certainly many outreach and ministry programs in our community are doing a great work. Pray and see what He would lead you to do, become involved as HE would have you be involved, but please, please, whatever you do, don't DO NOTHING. To succeed in this world, all the enemy needs is for good men to do nothing. Don't empower him with your inaction.