If there is Good that we Ought to Do?
If there is Good that we Ought to Do?
by Scott Nordstrom
I couldn’t help but write down an experience that I had at church this weekend, in hopes that some of you may be blessed by it.
We were at the Assumption Cathedral in Denver on Sunday and the service was beautiful and solemn. The sights and sounds took me to a different time and place. It was good.
After church, I hurried over to ‘coffee hour.’ I hadn’t had my normal quantity of coffee that day and was hoping to scratch my itch. As I sipped my coffee and chatted with my brother-in-law, Tim, I recognized one of the ladies of the church; she is a friend of the family, and a very nice person. As I went to say hello, I stopped myself.
Why? I had sat behind this woman and her husband several months ago at a funeral where she had taken out her checkbook and asked me to write in the name of the ministry, completely unsolicited. She made a donation that day, encouraged me in my work, and wished me well. This was not her first gift to support orphan children. A very nice gesture, right?
While I wanted very much to engage with her on this Sunday, I didn’t want her to assume that I was hoping for another donation. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that it might appear that I ask many people for money quite frequently, but I truly value my relationships far beyond what any person might provide financially to the ministry. I am sensitive to the complexity of this dynamic.
Children in South Sudan Village receiving a meal.
Despite my hesitation, she ended up coming over our way to catch up. She admitted that there are many wonderful charities serving children and that she could not give me another donation today. She apologized. I explained to her that I completely understood. After covering several subjects, to include the update on our ministry since she asked, she again apologized for not being able to contribute toward the children today. I again thanked her and reassured her that I understood.
I immediately felt bad that a conversation with me would incite guilt in this woman; this was not the way of the Kingdom, nor my desire. She truly had no reason to apologize. The reason that I had initially hesitated ended up being completely valid.
We had hung around and talked to my other brother-in-law, Ted, and ran into a few other friends as well. It was probably 15 minutes after my conversation had concluded with the nice lady that Despina and I were standing near the door ready to leave. Out of nowhere, the nice lady approached and motioned for me to come sit down with her. To my surprise, she wanted to make a donation to support the children.
I explained to her that she didn’t need to do this, and I knew she had a good heart and had initially feared that a conversation would make her feel guilty. She told me that I should never avoid talking to her for that reason. Admittedly, it was a strange situation and we both chuckled about it.
As I explained to her that she didn’t need to give more support for the children, she wrote out the check and told me why she had changed her mind. She had read accounts where the ancient church leaders attended their ecumenical council meetings where they were tasked with codifying the tenets of the church, but even as they did this, they would not let the needs of the impoverished go unmet. Wherever these meetings occurred, when these bishops and priests were presented with the needs of the people, they would somehow address them even though that was the specific reason for being there. She was simply following their examples. She had become more aware of the needs in our conversation, and she could not go without helping in some way. She could not simply walk away and ignore the needs as others do.
This reminds me of a passage in one of my favorite books of the Bible. James 4:17 reads, if anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
I know. Pretty heavy. However, I see this passage a different way. The scripture reads, “If anyone, then knows.,” meaning not everyone is going to know. Not everyone is treated the same in this account.
If I am aware of a need, I know that I should fill it because the Father is going to provide the resources to accomplish. At least it appears that this is God’s expectation for me. It is a pretty serious thing. It is a simple concept, but not easy.
With Global Orphan Relief, we have grown far past the point where we can effectively address the needs that we are aware of with our own resources. There is just not enough to go around! I had mentioned earlier in this post that I understand that it might appear that I ask many people for money frequently. Note the word “appear.”
What I am actually doing, or maybe God himself is doing, is inviting you to participate in a Kingdom function. I merely communicate the needs the best I can, and the rest is between you and the Father. Like those church leaders from centuries ago, and the nice lady at church, we can’t simply dismiss doing good when we know that it ought to be done.
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 160 volunteers on 25 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you may give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.