I read through Ecclesiastes in devotions this morning. The wise King Solomon uses this book to examine the meaning to life. He begins by declaring everything as, "absolute futility." (Ecclesiastes 1:2) He then goes on to explore multiple ways that he has sought to find meaning in life with all leading to the same conclusion: "For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind."
He then turns his thoughts to God and investing in life and begins to come up with a semblance of meaning. In the end (and this is my favorite part of the book), he concludes by saying...
"When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Sometimes I feel that all we do at helping people physically and spiritually is "futile" as King Solomon points out. Its not that their lives and needs are not worthy of our attention. It is also not that we don't make a difference in thousands of communities and tens of thousand families through our work with BGR. It's just that the magnitude of needs seems to be so enormous that any and all of our attempts to make a difference are little more than a drop in a bucket.
I remember hearing a story once about Mother Teresa. As a person watched her go from one dying person to another, holding their hands, praying for them and speaking a word of comfort, they finally exclaimed to her, "How can you do this every day. How can you continue to minister to those sick and dying. The needs are overwhelming. Don't you know that what you're doing is just a drop in a bucket?" To which Mother Teresa reportedly answered, "Yes. But it is a drop that would be sorely missed if it wasn't there."
In the face of futility, a world sick and dying, I choose to add my drop in the bucket. It may not be much compared to the world in need and it may not be much in comparison with other people's drops, but it is a drop that I believe would be sorely missed if it wasn't there.
I vow not to become weary in well-doing. I choose to believe that what we do, individually and corporately, to help those in need, whether physical or spiritual, is really casting our bread upon the waters. It will swell, grow and multiply and eventually come back home on a wave.
When it's all said and done? I will fear God and keep His commandments because it is for humanity and I know that God will, in His own time, bring every act to judgment.
Selah!
He then turns his thoughts to God and investing in life and begins to come up with a semblance of meaning. In the end (and this is my favorite part of the book), he concludes by saying...
"When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Sometimes I feel that all we do at helping people physically and spiritually is "futile" as King Solomon points out. Its not that their lives and needs are not worthy of our attention. It is also not that we don't make a difference in thousands of communities and tens of thousand families through our work with BGR. It's just that the magnitude of needs seems to be so enormous that any and all of our attempts to make a difference are little more than a drop in a bucket.
I remember hearing a story once about Mother Teresa. As a person watched her go from one dying person to another, holding their hands, praying for them and speaking a word of comfort, they finally exclaimed to her, "How can you do this every day. How can you continue to minister to those sick and dying. The needs are overwhelming. Don't you know that what you're doing is just a drop in a bucket?" To which Mother Teresa reportedly answered, "Yes. But it is a drop that would be sorely missed if it wasn't there."
In the face of futility, a world sick and dying, I choose to add my drop in the bucket. It may not be much compared to the world in need and it may not be much in comparison with other people's drops, but it is a drop that I believe would be sorely missed if it wasn't there.
I vow not to become weary in well-doing. I choose to believe that what we do, individually and corporately, to help those in need, whether physical or spiritual, is really casting our bread upon the waters. It will swell, grow and multiply and eventually come back home on a wave.
When it's all said and done? I will fear God and keep His commandments because it is for humanity and I know that God will, in His own time, bring every act to judgment.
Maayo gyud nga pahinumdom kini Manong Jeff. Salamat kaayo.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the good you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe overwhelming needs ahead in NJ and NY need this attitude. Lee
ReplyDelete