“We have to take initiative where we are, not where we have not yet been.” – Oswald Chambers
Imagine helping everyone else except for those whom you love. You offer strangers and others more than your own children and loved ones, even your closest friends. That would sound sort of strange, right? That would make you seem like some sort of hypocrite.
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. – Matthew 26:11 (NLT)
We need to stop overlooking the needs that go unaddressed right around us daily instead of seeking to go off to some distant land and do the same good that we never ever attempted at home. We should go abroad and carry the Good News of Jesus Christ. That is certainly the truth. However, we do not need to leave needs unmet right at our own doorstep.
What was it that James said about true religion?
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27 (KJV)
We need to start right where we are. We need to start doing good works right where we live every single day. We need to do our part to keep things in order right where we live. Our works should start with what we have done on our home turf. Then, as we build up those around us by equipping and empowering them, we can branch out from there.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” – Acts 1:4 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Until the Lord directs you, don’t leave where you are today. Get busy doing His work with His Word right there. Stay on task. Once He has developed you, He will direct you. When He has readied you for branching out, He will tap you for further service. He wants you working on His good works in His name. Your best bet is to start where He has planted you. He has put you here for a reason.
You may not be able to go to the ends of the world and do every good work, but you have somewhere to start. You something to offer. You can get started right here. You can grow as you do good. Let doing good works do you some good, too. Let it be right where you are today.
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