WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST OR FIGHT FOR SOMETHING?

Welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to educate people and communities about children's issues, the oppressed, and orphans and to empower all to follow the biblical mandate to care for these souls! My vision is to see every person and community care for children and orphans through advocacy, sacrificial service, sponsorship, adoption, giving, missions, and prayer.

The questions above have come to the forefront in my life recently. I have found myself wanting to "fight" both "against" and "for" issues, cause or persons.

Fighting against sometimes needs to be done. Fighting against an injustice comes to mind of a time when it is necessary. "Fighting for" a passion, a cause, or a person more often needs to be done. Moreover, "fighting for" seems to be more productive. "Fighting for" a passion energizes and gives more passion. "Fighting against" something because it is not what one wants to do can make one less productive, drain energy, and be life draining. I recently have been fighting against some things and a friend pointed out to me that if I focus my energies and self on fighting for a passion, a purpose, or a person, I will live more abundantly and have more life to give. He was and is right. I took his gently given advice. As I pondered what it is that I want to "fight for" I did not have to think long to decide what is worth "fighting for". Then I thought of a scripture that illustrates how I want to "fight for".

It became clear to me. The answer lies in part what Jesus said when he was healing on the Sabbath and he was questioned. His answer to His accusers was, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does."(John 5:19-20) So, I think that I must do the same. Shouldn't I do what Jesus did? Shouldn't I feed the hungry, heal the sick, seek justice, support the oppressed, defend the orphan? If I take my faith seriously, I must do the things Jesus did! I must be like and do the things I see Jesus doing. I must do nothing by myself, I must do only what I see Jesus do!

While for as long as I can remember, I have been inclined to help the oppressed and the downtrodden, I recently have started seriously doing what I see Jesus doing especially for children and orphans. First, I have decided to to help children in crisis "right in my own backyard". The idea is not mine and it is being done already. Most recently my wife Jody and some women at our church just finished a collection drive and got a whole bunch of "basics and backpacks" through the generous giving of the people of our community. Some other people are also doing it at a local level in Colorado.

Imagine this scenario; a child is taken from a violent or traumatic home into foster care with just the clothes on his or her back and perhaps a few possessions grabbed and thrown in haste into a plastic shopping bag. Sometimes a child arrives at a foster home placement with one or no socks or shoes, just a dirty t-shirt or dirty pajamas and nothing else. This happens all too often. Wouldn't it be a gift of unconditional love if each child going from a traumatic home into foster care gets some "Basics & a Backpack" to call their very own? The basics consist of personal items like a toothbrush, paste, socks, a stuffed animal or book- depending on the age and other similar items. It helps the child and it helps the foster parents that are taking in a child in an emergency situation. It is a little bit of hope and love in the midst of a traumatic and life-altering event for a child! It is simple, easy to do, and a very practical way to put "skin on the Gospel."

As I said Jody and some dear friends; Jen, Trish, and Stephanie have worked with Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties providing "Basics and Backpacks". Recently, I have connected with Adams and Denver Counties and have heard a resounding "YES" we can use "Basics and Backpacks." I have a vision to do this on a statewide basis. No child in Colorado should be without basics and some love in this type of situation. There are 64 counties in the State of Colorado and around 8,500 children in foster care Statewide. Second, I envision this happening on a national basis! There are 3,141 counties and county equivalents in the United States and the District of Columbia. Numbers indicate 510,000 children are in foster care nationwide each night and these children wonder if they will find a forever family. Each day 129, 000 children available for adoption are disappointed and not adopted in the United States. 26,000 children each year "age out" and are out on their own without finding a forever family. How many children can be touched by a coalition of people working together to touch each child with the gift of unconditional love? I think all of them! What impact could this have on the lives of children right in our own backyard?

If the numbers are too overwhelming, think about your child, your nephew, niece, cousin, or younger brother or sister. What would you be willing to do to assist one of these in a crisis like this situation? I submit to you that there is no difference whether the children are related to you or me or not. Each of these children needs help, assistance, and love!

All children, and especially orphans and children out of their family of origin deserve the basics of life: food, clean and safe sources of water, clothing, medical care, education, a safe place to call home, and spiritual direction to learn and know Jesus! It is all about "putting skin" on the good news.

If somebody is going to provide for these most vulnerable children, should it not be the followers of Jesus? If you and I do not do this, then who will? There are similar ways to help children and orphans along these lines including collaborating and serving internationally for children who are in even more dire needs situations. "Basics and Backpacks" can translate for children and orphans around the world who have even more dire needs.

Won't you join me, Jody, Jen, Trish, and Stephanie and help give love and hope to the the most vulnerable and very valuable children? Won't you join us to do what we see Jesus doing for the "least of these"? I look forward to being with you on the journey!

Seeking Justice,
Encouraging the Oppressed,
& Defending The Orphan;

Paul Williams
paulwilliams@isaiahscry.org

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.)