Help and Hope in a Divided WorldSýnishorn

The Power of Both

Throughout my decades of faith-based humanitarian work, I’ve often been questioned about my philosophy on “missions.”

When you provide water, do you also give a Bible? And, If you give a Bible, do you also give a cup of cold water?

But once again, what if we can actually do both?

The Gospels tell us the story of Jesus’s Life here on earth. We read how Jesus gave sight to a man who had been blind since birth. How He healed the Roman officer’s son without even seeing him. And how He healed a woman of a bleeding disorder just by her touching the hem of His cloak.

Now ask yourself: were these healings and miracles physical or spiritual? Was Jesus meeting physical needs or spiritual needs? Remember, you can’t answer “both.” It can only be one or the other. You have to choose.

My guess is you are thinking the same thing I am—this sounds ridiculous. Of course, Jesus was meeting both at the same time. His Work reached straight down to the depths of their souls. His Love pierced through the deepest parts of their hearts. And while He did physically heal them, He also healed and changed their hearts.

I believe that Help is both physical and spiritual. And Hope is both physical and spiritual. Perhaps the difference lies in the timing. Help is immediate. Hope lies in the future. Because, at the end of the day, Help is Hope, and Hope is Help. They are a singular message of good news, and their Power lies in what they are able to transform together.

When Help and Hope serve one another, they have Power over fear. When Help and Hope are together, they inspire a greater imagination for the future. When Help and Hope are practiced together in harmony, they look—to the world—like miracles. The Power of both is, by nature, utterly transformative.

Mark 5:34 (TPT)

“Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, because you dared to believe, your faith has healed you. Go with peace in your heart, and be free from your suffering!”