The Standard November 13, 2019
At the Lost Sheep Resource Foundation’s banquet last week talented vocalist Terrell Suggs opened the evening, guitar in hand, with “Do Something” by Matthew West. Apropos for the event he sang, “I woke up this morning. Saw a world full of trouble now, thought ‘How’d we ever get so far down?’, and ‘How’s it ever gonna turn around?’ So I turned my eyes to heaven. I thought, ‘God, why don’t you do something?’ Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of people living in poverty and children sold into slavery. The thought disgusted me so, I shook my fist to heaven. I said, ‘God, why don’t you do something?’ He said, ‘I did. I created you.’ If not us, then who? If not me and you right now, it’s time for us to do something. If not now, then when will we see an end to all this pain? Oh, it’s not enough to do nothing. It’s time for us to do something.”
These lyrics are reminiscent of thoughts from Hillel the Elder, a first-century Jewish scholar, who challenged his listeners with profound questions like, “If not you, who? If not now, when?” As the advocates for the Lost Sheep Resource Foundation know, we simply cannot wait for someone else to do something. We have to step up and act. In their ministry’s philosophy statement the core belief is pointed out that “the power to change one’s community begins with individual responsibility. An accomplished individual produces a strong family, and strong families produce strong communities.” Each person is responsible for their own actions. Some people need help getting to a point of self-reliance. Education, work force development, job opportunities and spiritual guidance are only a few of many much-needed aspects of improving lives. Every individual can contribute something for the betterment of our community. We each have some time or a talent or money to offer. Certain people have more time or more talents or more money to share but we all have something important to add.
In the Parable of the Faithful Servant or the Parable of the Door Keeper Jesus concludes, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) The “much” that has been given is Jesus himself. It is the grace of God. It is the understanding of the Kingdom of God. If we have Jesus, we have the most important thing. We are required to share this good news and the love of God with those around us and those not so near.
In the official music video “Do Something” we see all kinds of possible things for each of us to do now. Laugh. Adopt. Shine. Stand up for the weak. Feed the hungry. Love. Fight for justice. Uplift. Advocate. Show Christ’s Love. Smile. Comfort. Rebuild. Serve. Plant seeds of hope. Share the gospel. Pray. Care. Act. Heal the hurting. Help others. Teach. Volunteer. Forgive. Console the lost. Listen. Stand up. Hope. Support. Be kind. Hug. Champion a cause. Encourage.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
celiastone 