How serious?

Scripture Reading Today: Exodus 1-3

Many thoughts running through my head today Lord, which is good. It seems to have been a long time since I've really had this flow going, where I am truly excited to be learning and contemplating. But with my head going in so many different good places, I'm not sure where to direct this conversation this morning.

I guess, both of my main thoughts do come together on one issue. Seriousness. As I think about Scripture, conviction, Your will some things are murky to me. Many things I just don't understand. But some, admittedly few, things are crystal clear. The biggest of those clear things was reemphasized today in my reading of Exodus.

"I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering." --- Exodus 3:7

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You are concerned with those who cry out, with those who are suffering. Your call to us, as those who love You and are blessed by You, is right from this same heart. Be concerned about the poor, the oppressed, those who are crying out. But serious concern, serious enough to do something.

I know that You want us to be concerned. That's why I spout that off all over the place, to anyone who is willing to listen. But what do I do about it? Often times, just like the other things I lack discipline about, I sit back and say yes this is wonderful, yes let's help those who don't have enough, yes, yes, yes! But then the time continues to get away from me while I just sit there thinking, "Where do I start? How do I start? Will I really make a difference? How can I even relate to their world?"

The thing that is most frustrating is that right now I know where to start. We have relationships with those who are in need. I know how to start. You've been pulling on my heart ever since Gideon's birth about this and I know what I should do. Will I make a difference...yea, that's really a ridiculous question by me. It's honest, but ridiculous. Can I relate, I don't think they'll care. That's only a fear of mine.

But am I serious about my faith? That's a crucial element here. Will I push for what my head believes and look to You for strength and hope, or will I retreat into fear? If I was putting money on me, I know I'd lay it on the fear. But I'm not, I'm putting money on You (well, okay, not really). When we're weak, when we would choose fear, You are strong.