Be the Change you wish to See in the World

         It's the time of the year where commercials, t.v. shows, movies and more focus a little more on family, lobe and giving...to an extent. The CHRISTmas movies leave you full of love, hope, and you are just filled with this warm, fuzzy, happy feeling. I am going to encourage the love and giving in this post, but want it to continue throughout the year, and not just in this season.

         Over Thanksgiving break I was listening to music and as I was getting ready having my "superstar" moments in the mirror (yes, you're never to old for dancing around using your hairbrush as your mic)- when I put the song "Change" by the beautiful and talented Carrie Underwood on, because it is so good and powerful and a great vocal song as well. A little later I was having a blast from the past and listening to some of my favorite songs from growing up and the song "Instead" by Stacie Orrico , which is just as powerful and touching as "Change". They both have the message of changing the "Be the Change you wish to see in the world"- by Ghandi.
     
  Now let's self-reflect. How many times have you seen a homeless person on the side of the road and didn't do a thing. How many times have you heard about Compassion International, World Vision or an organization similar to those on t.v. and ignored it or changed the channel. What about giving to salvation army? What about relief projects, specifically right now in the Philippines? Families of soldiers? Children in the foster care system? Those in nursing homes? Those in the hospital? What about those enslaved around the world and in our communities? Did you know there are more slaves today than any other time in history.  For more information check out The A21 Campaign at  http://www.thea21campaign.org/.
          This is something I personally want to grow and work on. I sponsor a little girl through Compassion but need to work on sending more letters, remembering to pray for my girl daily and more. I have also crossed countless numbers of homeless people and haven't done anything. I've given to some disaster's but not as much as I want to, so by no means am I pointing any fingers.
          Let's go back to the Bible, Matthew 25:40; 45 "...'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'....' Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" What we do is a direct reflection of Christ. One thing that saddens me, is that many in America can't tell the difference between who is a Christian and who isn't. The word Christian, Jesus did not give us. The name Christian came from pagans to describe us followers of Christ, and it's just blown up since then. A Christian isn't clearly defined in the Bible and that's why there are "Christians" on polar sides of issues and doing things. The Bible does however tell how to be a follower of Christ, to live like Him. In fact, Jesus called his followers Disciples and that is clearly defined in the Bible. For more information on this check out the Christian Series by Andy Stanley here: http://yourmove.is/watch/christian/1/.
       We want to follow Christ. As the old hymn goes, "they'll know we are Christians by our love..." Let's take the homeless person we see on the street. The least we can do is pray for the person, but we can also do more. We may hesitate to give money because of the culture and world we live in today, and not knowing if people will spend it on what you hope they will. What about giving a gift card to a well known place, to provide a nice warm meal, or clothes, we could also invite them to dinner with us and share Jesus with them, and invite them to church. You could also carry care packages with you with basic necessities, that you can give to those in need. That way you aren't just giving money but you're making a practical difference. As for giving, you my think, I don't have a lot of money, I can't do it, or I can't make a difference...a little can go a long way and is better than nothing at all. I encourage you to talk to people at your church or school to get care packages together. I have friends whose church's have done this as well as my uncle's church. Then you have these packages, you can keep in your care and give out as needed. I think it's a great idea.
       I want to challenge you and myself to love others, every single one of us can make a difference. Also I challenge you to not only do this during the holiday season but just make it apart of life. Take this challenge this season but add it to your New Years Resolution as well. I want to leave you with this quote I saw on Pinterest, that fits this perfectly and is so true.
                "No-one has ever become poor by giving" 
                                           - Anne Frank
God Bless- Jalynn (Jessica Lynn)