Do Something NOW!
Just so you know, I am not a “New Year’s Resolution” maker. Most people make them and set huge goals that they can never live up to, and when they ultimately fail at their resolutions, they either go back to the way things were or end up a little worse off than before, because they either get depressed or feel guilty for failing. Instead, I generally try to continually improve myself, and that stems from my relationship with Jesus. My desire is to grow more and more like Him each day, and though I sometimes fail at my attempts, I continue to strive towards that goal – however that may appear.
This past year, I made a big life-changing decision to quit my job and spend time in Romania serving with the college ministry in Timisoara (OSCET). It was definitely the biggest step of faith I have taken to date, and I could see God’s hand in it from the very beginning. And, even now as I continue to search for a job after returning from my time overseas, I know that God has a plan for my life, and if I continue to follow where I feel Him leading, He will take care of all the little details.
To start the new year off, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at the 2010 Passion Conference here in Atlanta, GA, and was part of the “Go Center” whose theme was “Do Something Now”. All throughout the conference, these college students were challenged to take action and change their world by getting involved NOW. And, even with their limited income, they were able to do an AMAZING thing during the 4 days of the conference – here is what I mean:
• 12 different organizations were represented in the “Go Center”, and over $650,000 was raised to support these organizations. Another group attending the conference matched what the students raised, so more than $1.3 million was raised during these 4 days.
• Compassion and World Vision were both represented, and more than 150 children were sponsored with monthly financial commitments and prayers.
• More than 10,000 towels and 20,000 socks were donated to help support the homeless here in Atlanta.
This was my first year volunteering with Passion, so I had no idea what to expect, but knew it would entail a lot of standing, so I quickly purchased a pair of gel insoles for my shoes, and had my Epsom salt on the ready for when I got home each night. I helped out with World Vision’s Africa Experience and learned about (and helped others learn about) different communities in Africa who have been affected by AIDS/HIV. I had never sponsored a child through any organization before, but I knew I wanted to do something, so as I prayed and had my devotions during the conference, this verse popped up: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27
So, as I drove in that morning, I knew that was the day I was going to sponsor one of the children with World Vision, but I knew we were going to be extremely busy (as we had been the other days), so I was not sure how or when I would have the time to act, but I knew that God would show me which child He wanted me to sponsor before the day was over. So, I went about my duties of the day just as I had the day before, and as we were nearing the end of the main part of the day and getting ready to close down the experience, a lady came up to me and handed me a packet for a child that she was not going to be able to sponsor. As soon as I saw the packet, I knew this was the little boy that God wanted me to sponsor, because, during my walk through the exhibit, this was the child’s packet that I had prayed over in the chapel a couple days before. So, I completed the sponsorship information as we were closing down for our break – his name is Xavier Jaime from Mozambique; born 6/13/99.
I don’t know if you are a resolution maker or not, but I challenge you to strive to be more Christ-like this year, and to try to apply Proverbs 3:27 to your daily life and see what God has in store for you this year.
