Change Lives? Me? I can't do that!
Pathway Points
Stepping Up for Jesus
Often during Lent, people are encouraged to give up something, typically something like pop or chocolate or their favorite TV program. Unfortunately, it seems to stop there, never drawing the person closer to God. Instead, in years past, I’ve asked the kids during a Children’s Moment on Sunday morning to “make a radical choice for Jesus.” In doing this, I know that they must give something up (free time, comfort, etc.) and replace it with this new choice that will help them to become more like Jesus. For kids, some choices included stepping out of their comfort zone and greeting people with a smile and a “Hello,” or to giving up some of their play time to read a devotional each night.
For those of you looking for a starting point on the Change Lives part of the Pathway, let me tell you about a radical choice I made along with a couple of ladies from Grace. We’ve chosen to support Mercy House Global, a global movement to empower women throughout the world through employment, not enablement. It started as a safe house for pregnant, teenage girls in Kenya. They were given a safe place to have their babies and learn to care for them, and given job training to support them. Since then, Mercy House has grown into “thousands of individuals in 24 countries, working with more than 42 faith-based non-profits.” About halfway down their home page, they list ways that you can Change Lives including prayer, shopping, and volunteering (road trip!).
Perhaps you could join me and the other ladies in making a radical choice for Jesus, giving up something (time, money, vacation days) to become a little more like Jesus?
Stepping up with you in His strength!
Monica Lebsack
Creative Ministries Director