Last night, on her Facebook page, Lou Martin challenged me to a sort of “Ice Bucket Remix.” She requested that I share one thought that is impacting me to advance God’s kingdom. Before I answer her challenge, I’d like to thank all of you who took the real Ice Bucket Challenge. Your willingness to join a national conversation by getting cold and wet is fantastic. You have brought awareness to all of us just how devastating ALS is and how desperately a cure is needed. Thank you.
To answer Lou, the thought that is impacting me is, “What is the point of awareness if we don’t do anything about it?” I have been aware of sin in my life and my need for Christ. I have been made aware of the horror and beauty of the cross. I have been made aware of my neighbors being mistreated because of the color of their skin. I have been made aware that there are poor and hungry and hurting people all around me, but what good is it to be aware if I don’t take action?
Yesterday in church, my friend Todd Erickson preached a sermon on how we are all called to bear witness to the light. He reminded us that we were created for the purpose of bringing glory to God, and that the only reason any of us are still breathing is so we can bring him glory by sharing the glorious truth of salvation. It was such a blessing to be reminded of this and to be challenged to fully embrace my calling. With God’s word as the truth and the Holy Spirit as his guide, Todd brought awareness to the congregation at 2PC. Can you imagine the healing and revival that would take place if we added action to our awareness?
By God’s amazing grace, the Holy Spirit came into my heart and showered me with buckets of grace. Jesus’s cleansing blood has covered me from top to toe, and because of this, I wake up every day with the challenge and privilege of being conformed to Christ’s image. I have never worn a WWJD bracelet, but I am daily asking myself what would he do? When Jesus was aware of people hurting, he healed them. He cared for the sick, wept with the broken-hearted, rejoiced with the joyful and brought the light to all those in darkness. Because he has shown me how to live, I am called to add action to my awareness.
There are so many ways we can actively help this broken world. We can pray for and serve our neighbors who are sick and hurting. We can lend a helping hand to their caregivers. We can teach our children the truth. We can shine a light in the darkness. With the Holy Spirit living in us, we can do what Jesus would do. There will continue to be pain and disease, disparity and brokenness until Jesus comes back and heals it all, but until that day, we need to add action to our awareness.
Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.[b]’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. Romans 14:10-12 (NLT)
“ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)