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Help and Hope in a Divided WorldSample

Help and Hope in a Divided World

DAY 5 OF 5

Both is What We Do

I’ve always loved this quote by Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

I often share this when I have the chance to speak about my work at World Help. During one event, I stood before an audience wearing a bright yellow vest. Why? Because we can all visualize first responders wearing something that sets them apart as “helpers.” To someone in desperate need, the vest is a sign of help and hope.

Despite all of our flaws and hang-ups, the Body of Christ is full of helpers. After all, isn’t that what the Church is supposed to be to a hurting world? Isn’t that what people of faith do?

When a pastor in a persecuted country runs out of Bibles, we can make sure we have the supplies to fill that urgent request.

When the next big hurricane devastates people’s lives and homes, we can make sure we rush aid in and be the first on the ground, even before the dust settles.

When a virus and lockdowns leave people hungry and starving, we can be there to feed people and meet their most basic needs.

We can continue to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow.

We can be on the front lines, first responders to the world’s greatest needs.

As we wrap up this devotional series, I want to challenge and encourage you to start integrating the "Power of Both" into your life. To look at what you already have–your talents, skills, and passions—and start applying them to the world’s greatest needs.

A good place to start is to find the people who are already helping. And if you are still looking, I have just the community for you—World Help. But more than anything, I just want you here. I just want you in the game.

Why? Because as people of faith, this is who we are. This is what we do.

For Earth to start looking a little more like Heaven, we have to give Help for today. And we have to give Hope for tomorrow.

It’s not called missions. It’s called life. And every moment counts.

1 John 4:20-21 (MSG)

“If anyone boasts, ‘I love God,’ and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.”

Thank you for engaging with this devotional! To deepen your understanding and explore further, visit worldhelp.net/bothbook. Your journey of "both" continues beyond this plan!

Day 4

About this Plan

Help and Hope in a Divided World

It seems like the world is more divided than ever. No matter where we turn, it feels like we're being forced to choose a side. This Us vs. Them mentality has crept into our churches too, especially when it comes to missions. Some champion evangelism at the expense of addressing physical needs. Others take a more humanitarian approach, dismissing spiritual needs altogether. It's exhausting and frustrating. But it doesn't have to be this way. What if I told you there was a more vibrant, love-out-loud approach to missions? What if I told you we were made for more?

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