Those Pictures

Those Pictures

You've seen the pictures, of orphans that are no more then skin and bones. Tied up to prevent self- harm. So skinny you can count every rib. Teenagers who weigh less then their age.

But it doesn't matter to you. It's just a picture, right? There's nothing you can do, so why bother? It's not your problem, right?

Imagine if that was your son or daughter. Or your brother or sister. Locked away, starved and depraved, because they were born with a disability. Some as simple as a vision or hearing difficulty.

But it's not, so it doesn't matter, right?

What if it was? Would you stand there, letting life go on? How could you, knowing your child was starving? How could you, knowing they were hurting, and needing you?

But it's just a picture, right? You can't do anything, so why bother?

Those pictures, they are real kids. Real kids who need real help.

When you see those pictures, you want to look away. You quickly scroll past, not wanting to see. Because you know if you do, you won't be able to ignore them.

What if that was your child? What if that was your child, tied to a crib to stop the self- harming, his only stimulation? What if that was your child, locked in a crib for their entire life? What if that was your child?

Those are God's children. How you would feel if that was your child, that's how God feels. If that was your child, you would do everything in your power to get to them, and rescue them.

That's what God is telling us to do.

We are the hands and feet of God. Why aren't we running to save the powerless? To love the helpless? To heal the wounded and the weak?

But I guess it's too hard to do something. Too much of a step outside our comfort zones.

We'll just continue life, and move on like we never saw those children.

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12

God knows our hearts. He knows that we know about those children. We are responsible to act. What excuse could possibly exist not to act?

I'm sorry, orphan, I know you are starving, but I really need this fast food everyday.

I know you're freezing, but I'm too comfortable in my heated house, i my bed with 1,000 blankets and pillows.

I know you need a family, but we don't have room. The kids would have to share, and they won't be happy about that.

I know you're thirsty, but I really need this coffee every morning.

I know you're there, but I am too busy to care.

Would you really say that to someone? It's ridiculous! Our problems suddenly aren't so big, when we compare to them.

Even if you are not able to adopt, you can still help!

It takes 5 seconds to share the picture of an orphan, and ask people to pray.

You can pray.

You can advocate.

You can donate.

You can fundraise.

There's no excuse not to do something. We are commanded to act.

"Religion our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans in their distress" (James 1:27).

Even if you're "too busy", you have no excuse. It takes five seconds to share on Facebook, Twitter or text.

Can't you spare five seconds to help save a life?