How to Respond to the Crises in Our World
It’s easy to feel paralyzed in a time where there are so many crises and needs in our community and world. How do we respond when we hear the devastating news of natural disasters, fires, and national turmoil leaving people running for their lives? These problems and crises often seem much bigger than ourselves, leaving us feeling incapable of doing anything that could actually help and turning our hearts towards indifference and complacency. But as followers of Jesus, we must guard ourselves against becoming indifferent to a world filled with brokenness by looking to Jesus.
So how would Jesus respond?
Matthew 9:35-36 shows us Jesus’s response to those in need, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
When Jesus saw those in need, he was moved with compassion which led him to take action. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Jesus desires us to be his workers as we let our compassion move us to action. As we continue to hear about the needs of those in our community, country, and around the globe, here’s a simple guide of how we can respond with the heart of Jesus.
Pray
Pray over those in need in our community and our world. As you pray, take notice of what God keeps bringing up to your heart. What moves you with compassion? Be patient as you diligently seek God’s voice and wait for him to speak to you.
Take Action
Once God has burdened your heart for something, let it launch you into action. Look for ways to help those in need and be the light of Jesus to those in your community and all over the globe. Pray and ask God to lead you!
Here are some of the ways that you can take action to help those in our community and around the world right now.
In Our Community
1.Pray for the families affected by the fire that occurred in the house Worship Center recently helped Good Samaritan Services purchase.
2.Support families in our community by getting involved with ministries like CVCCS.
Around the World
1.Pray for Haiti as they face a devastating earthquake and for Afghanistan as they face harsh national turmoil. Click here to learn more about what is happening in these countries and how you can specifically pray.
2. Join our Global Partners in financially supporting Afghans. As the Taliban has gained control, Afghans are attempting to escape the country with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Christopher and Britta Alam are our Global partners associated with Dynamis World Ministries, which is collecting funds to distribute to Afghan Christians who escape from Afghanistan. Click here to give online or you can send a check to Dynamis World Ministries at 2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA. Please designate all gifts “Afghanistan.”
3. Join our Disaster Relief Team to make a difference and serve those affected by natural disasters. Click here to find out more of to join the team.
Jesus responded to those in need with a heart of compassion that led him to take action as he sought after his Heavenly Father for wisdom, guidance, and strength. As we respond to the crises in our community and world right now may our response be the same. In a world full of brokenness, may we commit to being workers of Jesus where the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.