DOING GOOD BY SARA HALLAM
When I read or hear about the needs of this world, I get overwhelmed and think, “What can I possibly do?” The size and scope of the problems today paralyze me and I often end up doing nothing. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, but I wonder where to start. One morning I was reading in Proverbs 3 and I came across verse 27, which says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” This verse simplifies what I tend to complicate. Start giving when you see a need and give what you have to give. If someone needs encouragement, offer it. If someone needs prayer, pray. If someone has a physical need that you can fulfill, give it without hesitation. Don’t overthink. Don’t wait. Act on the opportunities that God gives us every day. God does not expect us to give away what we don’t have, but we are to use our blessings to bless others. When we pray for God to open our eyes to the opportunities He is presenting every day, it is amazing how He shows up.
The evening after reflecting on this verse, my husband Scott and I drove past a man with a flat tire on a busy road outside our neighborhood. Scott commented on what a bad location it was to be changing a tire and I recalled the verse from that morning. Scott admits that he was not going to stop until I spoke up, because he thought, “What can I possibly do?” Turns out, the man had stripped the bolts on the flat tire making his wrench too big to remove them. Since our house was right around the corner, Scott grabbed the only wrench he had and brought it back to see if it would work. Low and behold, the wrench was a perfect fit to remove the bolts and the man was on his way. Did this one act of kindness solve world hunger, end human trafficking, or stop the killing of Christians in the Middle East? No, but if every member of the body of Christ starts responding to the opportunities God brings into their lives, I believe that there is no problem too large for our Almighty God.
Thank you, Lord, that you have provided bountifully for me and have equipped me to give bountifully to others. Forgive me for the times that I fail to give to others what they need when I have it to give. Help me to not overthink doing good. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may come along side what you are already doing on this earth to bring about your Kingdom. Amen.
Sara and family
Along with her husband Scott, Sara serves on the Board of Directors of the Santiago Partnership and volunteers her time as the Chair of the Board. You can read more about her here.