What Are You Going to Do?Sýnishorn

What are you going to do with the life you’ve been given?

“Have the courage not only to rise above the sordid but to strive for and keep a lofty ideal. If you would be indispensable to your community, go on developing appreciations: for the kindness of others…and for the Author of it all.”

Everett Swanson never forgot those words from his 1931 high school graduation ceremony. Through belt-tightening times as a young traveling evangelist to leading an organization that connected with tens of thousands of donors across the world, Everett’s faithful dedication to the “lofty ideal” of rescuing children from hunger and homelessness was blessed by “the Author of all.”

Though he began as a traveling American whose only service to Seoul was to buy hot soup for a group of ragged children in an alley, Everett Swanson later became “Papa Swanson” to thousands of orphans and was even honored twice by the South Korean government for his humanitarian service. From 1951 to 1965, Everett moved from a feeling of helplessness during that first trip to Korea to directing a Christ-centered organization that supported more than 175 orphanages and nearly 15,000 children.

In 1965 at just 51 years of age, Everett died from a brain tumor. He was a man who honored God, served mankind, and embodied the spirit of Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

One of the final chapters in the book What Are You Going to Do? How One Simple Question Transformed Lives Around the World: The Inspiring Story of Everett Swanson and the Founding of Compassion International includes this thought:

Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, you can reach out with a heart of compassion. It could mean giving someone a smile and a bottle of water or a hug and a pair of shoes. It could involve stopping instead of walking by, listening instead of talking. Needs usually come at inopportune times, and they come in all shapes and sizes. A bite of food. An act of forgiveness. A prayer, a song, or a phone call.

Everett Swanson never dreamed God would use him to found and direct a ministry that would ultimately impact the lives of more than two million children. He served Christ faithfully, prayed continuously, and never doubted that it was God Who called him to answer the question, “What are you going to do?”

YOUR TURN:

• “Serving the Lord” is often thought of as something that missionaries, pastors, and people working at Christian organizations do. Why do you think that is?
• If Everett Swanson were reading this along with you today, he would probably ask you, “What are you going to do?” List two acts of kindness you can do this week to honor God and serve your world.

We hoped you enjoyed Everett's story and asking yourself "what am I going to do?" We encourage you to keep reading how God used Everett by purchasing a copy of the book What Are You Going to Do? How One Simple Question Transformed Lives Around the World: The Inspiring Story of Everett Swanson and the Founding of Coompassion International.