If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things they needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV)

“Guide me to help the people suffering from addiction.”  

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These are the words that greeted me, written on the sticky note I was to reflect on and write about today. My immediate response was, “Well, that feels heavy.” My second thought was, “I don’t know the first thing about helping someone suffering from addiction.” I love that the person whom God laid this message on their heart had this prayer and a desire to help this specific group of people, but as the reader, while I realize the need, I was not immediately moved to action. Does this mean that James is calling me out for choosing not to take action on this matter?  

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The book of James is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and it is jam-packed with biblical wisdom in living out the Christian walk. In processing both the Scripture and my sticky note for today, it occurred to me that God designed each of our personalities and our giftings uniquely, but he also “burdens” each of us uniquely, as well. One aspect of God’s broken heart may lay heavier on one person than another. He may give one person a desire to see family or friends free from addiction, another may have a heart for single mothers, another may have a heart for fatherless children, still another a heart for the aged and lonely. ALL these areas, and so many more, are legitimate needs that yearn for the love of Christ to shine in the darkness, but to one person alone, all these together can feel overwhelming.  

I recently read a story about a gentleman named James Oglethorpe that I had never previously heard. He lived in 18^th century England, when debtor’s prisons were overflowing – a terrible place to live out one’s days. Although Oglethorpe himself was a wealthy man, he had a dear friend pass away in debtors’ prison, and his heart broke for this hopeless situation in which too many found themselves. Being a Christian, he hated seeing image-bearers of God treated so poorly, and he was determined to use his position for good. He convinced the king to allow him to take the debtors to a new colony in the Americas called Georgia. There, their debts could be wiped clean, and they could begin a new life. In exchange, they would hold off any Spanish claim to the land, which was of particular interest to the king. Oglethorpe’s heart hurt for what hurt God’s, and when he felt that burden, he took action.  

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If you are like me, you may get a little “stress paralyzed” when you think of the problems of the world and how you could make any impact on the mess that centuries of man’s sin have created. It is overwhelming, especially if we have the mindset of needing to do something about everything. However, I think what James is warning against, in the big picture, is taking a back seat to EVERY need we encounter. To not be burdened by or tasked with helping anyone goes against our nature as Christ followers. To live with Jesus is to feel the brokenness of the world on some level, but in God’s kindness, he rarely lets us feel the heaviness of it ALL, or we would be crushed by the weight of it. Instead, we each have a few areas of brokenness, or at least a few people, who weigh more heavily on our hearts. What aspect of the world’s brokenness hurts your heart, if you were honest, a little more than other areas? For this lovely person who wrote this sticky note, it is helping others suffering through addiction. What is it for you?

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I am sure you know we cannot fix it all. You cannot do everything, but you can do something. Think of the unique gifts God has given you. Think of all the places you go and the people you encounter.  When we add this to the specific heaviness of the world that we each carry on our hearts, it is my hope that the next time you are faced with a circumstance that begs for action, you will take it. You may not be able to fix it all, but we can love the person in front of us and do something.  

Lord, thank you for your love for all. Give us eyes to see the hurting how you see them. Give us wisdom to know how to help and the boldness to step into action even when it feels awkward. Thank you that you have gifted us with a heart like yours. Help us to use it to serve others and love them well. Amen.