There is a popular song by Matthew West about a person who looks around the world and sees people living in poverty and people in trouble and all kinds of struggles. He shakes his fist at heaven and says, “God, why don’t you do something!?!?!”

God says, “I did! I created you!”

Many of us have friends and family members that are suffering and in pain. Or we might be the one suffering. We can be angry about cancer, ALS, broken marriages, etc. And it’s natural to look to God and say, “God, please do something!” And He did! He created you!

We are told over and over again in the Bible to love our neighbors, to take care of the poor, sick, widowed, orphaned. We are asked to give generously. We are told to serve others.

At Inheritance of Hope our mission is to “do something.” We strive to be God’s love to hurting families. We ask God often to use us and equip us to speak and act in the ways that He wants us to. We want to honor our Creator by doing what He created us to do while also recognizing that we are not God. We don’t see the big picture, and it is so difficult for us to understand why people we love are still hurting and dying and suffering.

So… the first “something” that we always do as we “do something” is to acknowledge and submit to God’s sovereign will. We recognize that the God who created the universe and made each of the families we serve knows all of their needs and also sees the VERY big picture. He has a perfect plan and at the core of that plan is His deep and perfect love for each of us. There is no question God’s plan is always better then our plans, even when we can’t understand it.

Perhaps you can relate to this message from Kimberly Henderson of Proverbs 31 Ministries:

I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.

I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hard will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I’m asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.

At Inheritance of Hope we will continue to DO SOMETHING as long as God equips, provides, and directs. We are so grateful that God has given us a mission that allows us to be a part of His plan. He has also given you a mission consistent with this plan. Go and do something! Don’t wait! But remember, even when the action and the outcome are not what you thought best, God is ALWAYS at work, and He is so faithful!

Jill Thompson didn’t give much thought to intentional living until her best friend, Kristen Milligan, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer at age 30. She had a front row seat as Kristen planned and prepared for her death and was inspired to be as intentional with each day. Kristen rarely missed a single moment to speak truth to her children and to teach, inspire, and encourage others. Because of her intentionality, her life and legacy are still greatly impacting others even 6 years after her death. Jill lives in Florida with her husband and four children and tries to make the most of each and every day, living intentionally as a wife and mom. Read more posts from Jill >>