Craig Clouston

 Rebuilding Hope

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need.

Romans 12:12, 13

As they boarded the plane to return home, there were mixed feelings of fulfillment and abandonment. The destruction seen on TV was incomprehensible prior to having witnessed it firsthand. Walking among the ruined buildings, seeing the empty lots where nothing remained and where lives had been lost, had been sobering. They had come here to give of themselves, to try to help make a difference in someone else’s life, to share God’s love with those who weren’t able to pick themselves up on their own.

The number of homes that had been swept away by Katrina was mind-boggling. They had spent a week working out of a church that had been converted into a workstation/sleeping quarters/diner/clinic, and yes, still a church on Sunday and Wednesday. They had been the tenth crew to have worked on this specific house and were privileged to have completed all the necessary repairs and construction. It was time for the family, who was currently staying in Ohio, to come home.

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Paul exhorted the Roman church to be encouragers not only in word, but also in deed. They were to share their resources with those in need. Because there are still those in need around the world, those same words apply to us.

Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you.” His hope was that we wouldn’t leave them in their need. He asks and expects us to take an active part in rehabilitating those who can’t make it on their own.

Does it matter to you why your children have needs? Or do you help meet those needs because you love them or because they may not be able make it on their own?

As children of God, we are to look for, not away from, opportunities to restore hope and help for those less fortunate around the world and in our own neighborhood.

Prayer

“I know it’s as important to pray as it is to go, Lord. Help me know how to share with those in need around the world and in my backyard. Tell me if I am to go. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”