So often we see tragedy going on oversees and feel compelled to act…then we come up with a ton of reasons why we can’t. Maybe we don’t have the finances to send money to support a ministry or non-profit. Maybe we’re too young to travel oversees ourselves. Maybe we can’t take off from work for 3 months to go on a missions trip. It can be upsetting to realize that we aren’t able to meet the needs of starving children in Uganda or save the girls being kidnapped in Greece to be sold as sex slaves. It can be heartbreaking to stand by and do nothing.

I wonder if though perhaps we get so caught up in wishing we could help some major international cause that we fail to see the person right next to us that needs our help. Maybe your neighbor is going through a rough divorce and could use some help taking care of her children. Maybe the man next to you at the bus stop has grief written all over his face and could use someone to listen. Maybe your little brother is getting bullied at school and needs advice. Maybe your roommate has never heard the Gospel and has been hinting that he/she would like someone to bring her/him to church someday. Maybe the homeless shelter down the road is short on supplies or volunteers. Maybe the local women’s shelter needs more volunteers to help women of domestic violence.Maybe your grandmother needs someone to just listen to her tell the same story for the billionth time because she’s lonely and feels like she’s fading away.

Jesus did tell us to go to all nations and make disciples. Its a joy to be able to do that. But not everyone has the means to do so. Jesus also told us to love our neighbors, to bear one anothers burdens, and build one another up in faith. No matter who we are, no matter what our finances look like, no matter how old we are, we all possess the ability to at least listen to someone, to show them love, and make their day just a little bit easier. Be Jesus to the people around you, show them His love, treat them the way He would. You can make a huge difference in your own backyard. Lending a helping hand in the tiniest way can change someone’s day completely. Look for ways you can meet peoples needs every single day. Let God use you.