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LENTEN DEVOTIONAL, DAY 14, TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Posted by David Datt on

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed’, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.”   James 2:15-17

For most of my life I was aware of the great struggles and tragedies that people around the world endure and how the poor and marginalized people are put out of mind. I thought taking care of my family and business and trying to be a nice guy was enough. Heck, I even volunteered at church occasionally. Plus how much help can one guy be?

I went on the trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2014. The following year I was invited to Haiti and then to Mississippi where folks were helping to rebuild homes and lives. Suddenly the poor and marginalized people became Danny and Pinky and the children in Pastor Delcy’s village. Not only did these trips open my eyes but equally important to my awakening were the people on those trips. It was like stepping out of the rat race. The people were considerate, they cared about you and there was a feeling of camaraderie within the body of Christ. 

Once it became personal, I could no longer ignore these problems and I wanted to get more involved. I stepped back from work and took a part time job at Feed My Starving Children, whose sole objective is to help end world hunger. They see us all as God’s children and will give food to anyone in need, regardless of religious affiliation. I have also continued to take mission trips. It has been wonderful to see people touched by the love and hope of Jesus.

I have learned some important lessons over the last six years. Because of our unique makeup, some preach, some quietly encourage, some help locally and some become missionaries in far off lands. But we are all doing God’s work. I can only do a small part but if everyone does their small part, the work will get done. The number of people in need is overwhelming and you cannot help everyone. But you can help someone. What you get out of it is a chance to reflect God’s light and to show that you are thankful for God’s free gift of grace.

Prayer: We thank You, Father, for making each of us a unique creation. We pray You will use the talents and resources of each of us to further Your work here on earth.

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