by Vila-Sheree Watson
This reflection is part of our special Season of Hope Advent devotional series. Be sure to check back each week as we share reflections from a diversity of people whose prayer and support make the mission and ministry of Lutheran World Relief possible. You can read the entire series by pressing the button below.
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
In today’s lifestyle, we have a propensity toward our routines. We become accustomed to our traditions. We do what we always did. We are truly creatures of habit. In so doing, we can find ourselves disconnected and just going through the motions. This scripture admonishes us to open our eyes, wake up and be vigilant.
When our eyes are closed, we cannot see the world around us. Our focus is most likely on ourselves and our needs, wishes, and desires. If we but take the time to look around, we can see that there are many that are in need of love and help. There are so many opportunities to share what we have been given with others.
In those times when we feel a pang of hunger, we quickly make a sandwich, go through a drive-through or sit down in a cafe and have a meal. We know what that pang feels like and we are blessed to be able to answer it with a satisfying response. Imagine not being able to answer that response—for days and sometimes weeks.
I just learned the story of Jane, a mother in Kenya. The strain of hunger and drought-driven poverty nearly destroyed her family. The best Jane could hope for was to grow enough potatoes and peas to survive the drought and feed her four children. They were simply hungry.
But, things turned around for Jane and her family. She learned to grow strawberries, a plant that does not need much water. She was able to grow crops for her family and also sell strawberries to earn and income. Jane’s family was saved.
There are still so many more people, like Jane, that need us to “snap out of it” and wake up from our slumber and see them. Like Jesus, He was masterful at seeing the needs of those that He encountered. We, too, can be like Him.
During this season of Thanksgiving and abundance, when we are filling our bellies on all of the delicious homemade treats and relishing in our family traditions, let’s take the time to look around and see someone who may be hungry or someone who may be in great need. Let’s make the effort to share what we have with them.
Vila-Sheree Watson is Senior Manager for Philanthropic Initiatives for Lutheran World Health and IMA World Health.