A Call to Action: Faith Without Deeds is Dead
As I reflect on the devastating earthquake that ravaged Haiti, I am reminded of the powerful words of James 2:14-17: “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” The images of destruction and despair are etched in my mind – people wandering through rubble, women cradling their lifeless or dying children, and children huddled on the streets with only tattered clothes to cover them. The voices of seasoned reporters, shaken by the sheer scale of devastation, echo in my ears.
The Discomfort of Indifference
As I respond to this crisis with donations, prayers, and words of comfort to those affected, a nagging question lingers: why am I not overcome with grief? Why do I not feel the weight of their suffering? The story of Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, comes to mind. He was tormented by the sight of suffering Korean children in the 1950s and prayed, “Break my heart with what breaks the heart of God.” I have shared those words with others, but now they confront me with a piercing question: “Do I truly want my heart broken?”
The Fear of Vulnerability
Perhaps, like me, you have experienced the pain of losing a loved one, the shattering of a relationship, or the relentless ache of chronic illness. We know the anguish of a broken heart, and we may be hesitant to open ourselves up to further pain. Yet, as Richard Sterns, president of World Vision, writes in his book, “The Hole In Our Gospel,” “Only when God breaks our hearts can we love as He loves.”
A Prayer for Compassion
As I stand at the crossroads of faith and action, I am compelled to pray for a softened heart, one that sees the world through God’s eyes. I yearn to serve others, but I know that a broken heart is a prerequisite for true compassion. Father, help me to surrender my fears and my comfort, that I may love as You love.
A Challenge to Authentic Faith
Faith without deeds is dead, and I am reminded that my response to this crisis is not just about sending aid or offering words of comfort, but about allowing my heart to be broken by the suffering of others. It is about embracing the pain of empathy and the discomfort of vulnerability. As I pray for a heart that is broken and softened, I am challenged to reexamine my faith and to ask: what good is it if I say I have faith but don’t show it by my actions?
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