Haiti has gripped our attention and galvanized our hearts. And the headlines and stories coming out of that country are heart-breaking. I am proud of what individuals, churches, communities have done. Could we do more? Always. But both individuals within and the Seventh-day Adventist church organization have responded, reached out, and helped. I am proud of that. It’s not over; we all realize that the recovery and rebuilding will be a long process.
I only want to stop long enough to call us to consider ourselves. Are we “reacting” or is this who we are? Haiti needs our help, but we need a change in culture. Responding to a disaster is necessary and good, but it’s not all good if we that is how we live our lives. Jesus didn’t live that way, just responding to disasters. He lived his live serving one by one, and many of those “ones” didn’t know or feel they were in need. Everyday, he was all about people.
I praise God for the direction this church is going: Last year, the church in a business meeting voted that we would take a step of faith that allows God to fulfill His promises. We decided to take 10% of all income to the local church and dedicate it for reaching people with the gospel in this community. This money will be used at the board’s discretion for personal and public activities to win people to Jesus. God blessed our finances and so we again this past month, January, the church in business voted to commit an additional 5% of the church finances to be spent on community project(s) serving and loving our community.
We will respond, but we will live. Living as Jesus did, all about people.
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