James 4:17

I'd been reading blogs for years,

The blogs of people who wrote about Compassion International,

About the amazing work the organization was doing,

People who traveled across land and ocean to see in person

Just what a difference it makes,

And I knew it was a wonderful organization

That was worthy of my support.

I just didn't know how I,

A college student,

Could help.

I didn't have a degree,

I didn't have a real job,

I didn't have much of anything that was really mine that I could give.

Even my money was kept in an account somewhere.

I didn't know how much I had,

So I didn't give it away,

Didn't sponsor a child,

Didn't do anything to help,

Because,

Not having sponsored a child,

I wasn't sure it was right

For me to use the one resource I had at my disposal

To encourage others to do what I did not,

So I didn't sign up to be a Compassion Blogger.

Then, I remembered this verse:

James 4:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

There is so much that I ought to do and yet do not.

I ought to spend more time with my siblings,

I ought to help Mom keep the house clean,

I ought to do whatever I can to help others,

And not out of some sense of duty or obligation,

But because of an overflow of joy!

I should enjoy doing what I ought to do.

The problem is,

I have myself thoroughly convinced

That it is much more enjoyable

To be left alone reading a good book,

(After all, my siblings are annoying.  Why should I spend time with them?)

To leave the mess where it is and watch some more TV,

(After all, it's not my house to clean.),

To think of my own needs.

(After all, school is starting soon.  I need to make sure I have books, a refrigerator, and I'd like to get a rice cooker . . . maybe some new clothes to stuff into my already-overflowing drawers.)

I'm good at thinking about myself,

Not so good at thinking about others.

But I knew what I should do,

So I filled in a short online form,

Just a couple of boxes,

And I became a Compassion Blogger.

Ann Voskamp said it well the other day,

Mentioning that sermon I listened to in Georgia,

How Christine Caine recalled telling a girl,

A just-rescued victim of human trafficking,

The wonderful news about Jesus,

And the girl replied,

"If what you say is true,

Why didn't you come sooner?"

Every time I hear that question,

It hangs in the air, haunting me,

Because I like to be comfortable.

I don't want to go.

But I know that part of me needs to change, 

Because, in the end, I don't want to say that I heard and I did nothing,

I want to say that I heard and I went,

That I did whatever I could to help,

Because it was what I knew I ought to do,

And because it brought me joy.

Do you have a blog?

Will you speak up on behalf of children in poverty,

Be a voice for those who have none?

It's such a blessing - and so easy!

All you have to do is go to this page,

Enter your email address,

And click "Submit Information".

About once a month,

(Just once a month!)

You will receive an email with a blogging assignment.

The email will include specific instructions,

As well as resources that will make it very easy for you to write your post,

Yet allow you plenty of space to be creative at the same time!

Also, whether you have a blog or not,

Please check out the new Compassion Bloggers website!

It looks very nice and is easy to use.

Here are some of the new features:

Why Blog for Compassion
Who is Blogging for Compassion
View Assignments
Resources for Bloggers

Also, consider helping Compassion in some other way.

There are many options, even if you don't want to commit to sponsoring a child.

(Although I highly recommend sponsoring.  It is a very rewarding experience.)

Do whatever you feel God wants you to do,

Just please,

At least consider

Doing something.

Thank you.