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Get involved for Jesus

Regular columnist Ruth Tong encourages us to step up and get involved when God calls us to action.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Hebrews 12:1
 
This verse tells us that we're surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses cheering us on - literally screaming, clapping, and cheering ‘Go for it!’, from the other side of time…(my paraphrase).
 
In 1964 a 28-year-old woman, Kitty Genovece, was attacked in a residential area of New York. She screamed for help for a full 30 minutes before dying from multiple stab wounds. Thirty-eight people heard her cries for help but did nothing to help her, assuming someone else would. The term bystander apathy was born from this event.
 
Not acting can be an act in itself. I’m a big girls blouse when it comes to bravery but I’m also aware that I’m in a war and, like the donkey from Shrek, God’s picked me not to spectate but to get involved.
 
Just like the event of 1964 lives are at stake, and we can’t afford the luxury of being held back by past hurt, pride, apathy or embarrassment. I wonder if, amid crippling fear or explosive frustration, if we actually heard those saints shouting for us, and could fully grasp what’s at stake, do you think we'd step up and get involved?
 
“Father I’m sorry that at times I allow fear or excuses to hold me back from getting off my butt and doing what I know I should. Please help me to be motivated for you every day of my life” –Amen.
 

 

 Crowd image is courtesy of https://pixabay.com

 


 

Ruth TongRuth Tong is the Coordinator of Women’s Ministries at Eternity Downham Market, and is the author of ‘Love Drops from Heaven’.  Ruth regularly blogs at ruthtong.com/blog

 


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