And true religion is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
– James, The Bible
What does that look like? Really?
Poverty looks different depending our different situations. Orphans and widows can be defined differently for different circumstances.
Poverty in Frisco doesn’t always look like the children in the Dominican Republic with no food or clean water. Sometimes it looks like broken relationships in a family. Those with no hope. Or poor because they are placing all their worth in what those around think about them instead of the rich life Christ wants to give.
It may look like chains put on not by sex traffickers but by self doubt or believing the lies that the world feeds of worthlessness of false freedom. It may look like those addicted to so many things that they think bring relief – drugs, porn, lies, cutting. It looks like those seeking freedom from anywhere but the freedom Christ gives.
Orphans may be lonely people inside big family systems. They might be those who are isolated in school; someone who has no friends.
It looks different.
But sometimes, it doesn’t, and the orphans are just that. Sometimes the orphans are those in the student ministry who have just lost an only family member. Those who literally are orphans. Just like that. And it hurts. It hurts deep. It hurts those of us around them. This feeling of helplessness. These times when the only prayers that come are ones of deep groanings, trusting that The Spirit intercedes and knows how to pray for us. These times when we don’t know how to pray because the hurt, the grief, and lack of understanding are so great.
But the good news is that God is sovereign. He intercedes for us; prays on out behalf. His plan is so much greater than ours and He works all things for His good. He loves and redeems us. And He wants to involve us on His work to comfort the orphans and widows, the poverty stricken. We don’t know everyone’s story and we don’t know what type of poverty or chains they may be in – whether brought on by themselves or by circumstances outside of their control. The beautiful thing about not knowing is that we are just called to love. Love them all like Jesus. And be used by Him as He wraps His comforting arms around us.
So what does it look like for you to look after the orphans and widows God places in your life; to take care of those impoverished around you, enslaved to difficult chains to break-the invisible chains we put ourselves in? What would it take for you to open your eyes and see past the outside mask of people around you? To see them with the eyes of Jesus.
May you be comfort and be comforted in this season.
bluegirlsministry 