40 Day Walk With God — May 10, 2014

Day 20–
MISSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Matt. 25: 34-36 (31-46)
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’

As I sit down to write this, I am in the middle of working a disaster in Southern Illinois. An EF3 tornado ripped through this small rural farming community. As the faith-based teams came storming in, as we do so much of the time, I was asked,

“WHY do people who do not know us want to help us?”

The hearts of gratitude pour forth in awe and appreciation for what we bring. We often hear,

“You bring people, machinery, food, water, supplies, and HOPE.”

Christian action speaks loudly. As the teams come from the Baptist, United Methodist, Mennonites, and other Non – Denominational groups, we bring different things to the table. But we all have one thing in common. We bring the LOVE of Christ with us. Our goal is to restore the hopes and dreams of the people, and to restore a calm and peace in the madness of disaster.

So when someone is hurting, God commands us to step up and out of our comfort zones to be His hands, feet, voice, and touch for a hurting world! PLEASE look and see where you can step up your Christian action and involvement. Are we willing to “be” the LIGHT of CHRIST in the darkness of a hurting world with disasters, devastation, and despair all around us?

Pray, listen, pray some more, and then respond to God’s Call!

Prayer:
Father God, we thank you that in the midst of catastrophe and devastation, you are always there to comfort us, and to restore to us life and peace. Help us to be your hands, feet, voice, and touch for a hurting world. What a privilege to serve you by serving others. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Bill Carr
Coordinator of Disaster Response and Relief, Memphis Conference