A number of years ago, I went with a friend of mine to work with local homeless communities. As one who was still growing and maturing in faith (a never-ending process), I was wrestling with the issue of compassion, specifically as we encountered people who were very troubled. Though many of those to whom we offered help were down on their luck and grateful for the assistance, others were addicted to drugs and alcohol and you could see signs of abuse towards their wives and children. Witnessing this was very disheartening to me, and I came to the point of wondering whether serving this population was truly having an impact. Though it felt like we were bucketing water out of a river, my wise friend gently reminded me that we were there to give back some of what God had given to us. I took his words and to heart, and by changing my perspective, I was able to see that those hurting souls hadn’t yet experienced the same blessings I had in my life. By remembering how much the Lord had done for me, I was motivated to pay it forward with the understanding that He would take what little I could do and add His multiplied power to its impact.

My friend, in these crazy times, it’s more important than ever to live every day in light of your highly favored position in Jesus. Though you may be enduring suffering, the forgiveness and freedom bestowed upon you in your salvation give you the ability to wake up every day in fullness of joy. No matter how ominous things look and how small your efforts feel in comparison to the mountain that stands before you, you are blessed. In the Kingdom of God, you’ve inherited a wealth of grace and goodness that, when consistently made the object of your focus, compels you to pay it forward in acts of courageous compassion. While things right now may be rough, you are a beloved child of the Most High God, and He has given you His Spirit to empower you to empower others!