I suddenly woke up extra early today with the morning thought on the many sufferings of this world. The ongoing strife in Mindanao, the victims of war and violence all over the world, women and children trafficked and forced into slavery and prostitution, people (even very small babies) who battle with terminal sicknesses and fight for their lives, famine, the abused and persecuted…I could go on and on. My heart was gripped and my tears just flowed. I thought, if my compassion for the hurting and the lost is this much regardless of the limited capacity of my human nature, how much more does it break God’s holy heart seeing all these people’s pain and suffering.

I look at Ziki and my husband who are sleeping soundly at my side. I thank the Lord that my family is safe with me, healthy and happy, as with all of my love ones. I believe when you are mindful of the hurts of others, you become more grateful even of the little things you have–like the mere fact you woke up without pain and that we can walk to the kitchen and find food or that you can go to church today and worship without the danger of being killed. Most of the time we tend to forget that we have been blessed with so much. That is why the Bible teaches us to “pray always, always be thankful.”

I want to do something to help. But what can I do? I am not rich for my money to significantly snatch someone away from their miserable situation nor am I influential enough to speak against these societal ills and rally others to help. This is reality and no matter how hard we make it better, it still is a fallen world and it is deteriorating every minute.

I prayed to the Lord Almighty and I asked him to help me understand how I should take this in and to know what He feels. And the Holy Spirit lead me to this word…

 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

Psalm 22:24 NLT

Praise the Lord Almighty! He is still King and he rules overall. Even if I don’t see it, He creates countless of miracles everywhere for these people. He saves. Hallelujah! My Lord He saves!

And as I was taking these all in, the Lord nudges at me that I am significant and I have a huge role in His redemption plan for mankind. And He brings me back to Matt. 28:19-20. I love how the Good News Translation says it:

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.

It still is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It will always always be about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People need to know how the Father loves us greatly that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross on our behalf and to be resurrected to assure us of our salvation and eternal lives. He did this for peace to reign in our hearts in spite of the turmoil around us. He endured the pain and shame for hope to rule in us so we can share it with those who need something to hope for. He came to us for lives to be content regardless of where you are or what you have.

I am humbled to even be considered in God’s great redemption plan. But that’s just how gracious the Lord is, that he would even use someone like me despite my past and my present faults, to bring good news to others and tell them about the beauty and love of Jesus Christ. Because only when they receive this truth will they understand God’s plan for their lives and fully accept the blessings stored up in heaven for them even after all the pain and suffering they have experienced.

I know because I have been there. And I testify to the truth of this promise today. :)

“Take heart. I have overcome the world.” -Jesus Christ