Sunday Writing... 6-14-20... "DO SOMETHING"

Good morning!

Today's writing, "DO SOMETHING," is based on (and expanded upon) the song by that title which is in the link below.  It seems very fitting for the things we face today in our world.

May you be blessed,
Jan

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Today's Devotional:

"DO SOMETHING"

by
Jan Andersen

As we wake up today, we find our nation and the whole world still fighting disease, in the grips of continued racial turmoil, facing widespread poverty, and so much more.  Violence and murder spring up all around.  Human trafficking traps innocent victims everywhere.  Evil seems to be rampant.  In this world full of trouble, we wonder how we ever got this far down, how things don’t seem to be getting any better after fighting them so long, and how are they ever going to improve.

Sometimes we get so frustrated, we become angry.  We not only get angry with those who are doing these evil things, we also become enraged with an entire culture, or the government that allows it to happen, or the agencies we thought were established to protect us or fix things.  Sometimes we even turn to God and ask Him with tears in our eyes or our fists raised and we say, “Why?  Why don’t you do something?”

God answers, “I did.  I sent my Son to forgive the sins of the world.”

Then we get angrier still!  “What?!  You are going to forgive those who are perpetrating this evil on the world you created?  That’s not right!  They need to be punished.”

God replies, “That includes you as well.  You are not perfect either.  Every day you commit sins of varying degree.  Any sin at all, no matter how big or small it appears to you, deserves punishment and death.  That is why I sent my Son to die on the cross in your place.  But while that takes away the punishment, it does not fix the broken and sinful world in which you live.”

As that reality starts to sink in, we become more calm and humble.  “But You are a good and loving God.  How can you just watch all this happen and not intervene?  Can’t You do something?”

He said, “I did - I created you!”

Then it hits us, that it isn’t enough just to see what is happening and know it is wrong, we need to act.  It is we who need to do something!  While it will never be a perfect world, God expects us to be grateful for his merciful forgiveness and put our faith into action.  Faith without works is dead.  We can’t just sit still on the sidelines.  We need to step up and be the ones who “do something.”  We need to pray hard and do whatever is in our power to help right the wrongs and injustices.  If not us, then who?

James 1:19-22 (NIV)  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.   Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for the undeserved forgiveness you freely give us by grace through faith.  Help us to put our faith into action through our words and deeds.  Light a fire in us, Lord, to do your will and be your light!  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.                   

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Song:

DO SOMETHING

Matthew West

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers

 Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Cathy Friberg, 

Jan Andersen and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley,  Terri Baker

Lynda Kinnard, Beverley Napier, 

 Amie Spruiell, Linda Garrett, and Lisabeth Lipp