Finals are here and I am overwhelmed....overwhelmed with all that I have to do and learn as well as God's mercy, grace, strength, and endurance that have been getting me through the days on little or no sleep...and sadly to say, little or no food some days. It is in these days that I need to be reminded of why I came to law school. Hence, this blog....
Not only did I come to law school to challenge myself, but because of my heart to defend the fatherless and oppresed (Ps. 10:17-18). Many of you know that two summers ago, I traveled abroad to Guatemala to work with orphans all over the country. I have always had a heart for orphan ministry, but my life was changed as a result of this trip. I returned with a newfound heartbeat to help the least of these. While I was there, I learned of the dire need for lawyers to aid in international laws and the adoption process. The need is not for any lawyer, but Christian lawyers. So, I came back and got serious about God's calling on my life. Next step: law school-to gain the knowledge, skills, and education to advocate for those that need a voice and to change the world, one person at a time. I do have big dreams for myself, but I know that the Lord is capable of doing more that I can dream or imagine for myself. I guess you could say I am not going to settle for living in the ordinary, but am going to strive for the extraordinary life Christ has set out for me....
Did you know that there are 145 million orphans in the world? I don't know about you, but to me that number is staggering. The Bible says that the poor we will have with us always. To be honest, when I first heard this verse, I thought, "Interesting. So if we will always have the poor with us, why should I do my part to help reduce it? Isn't it a lost cause?" The more I thought about it and discussed this, the more I realized how far from the truth my thought process was. The poor we will always have with us, so we should have more of an urgency to help those that are in need and the least of these. That verse is portraying the idea that the poor we will have with us always so the heart of service we must always have! That is a high calling, which will require great sacrifices.
With that being said, I would like to take this time to mention that I am honored to be a part of a council called The Voice Council. It is comprised of people in their twenties and thirties who have a passion for the cause of orphans. While I serve on this counceil to "Be a Voice," I also give money monthly to the organization. 100% of the donations go to the orphans. This is not true of many organizations, which usually take out a portion of your donation for overhead costs, such as salaries and such. Buckner is sold out to ensuring that 100% of your money goes to the cause you intended it to go to.
For the time being while I gain the education to help these people, I feel as if I cannot do much. However, by giving, I feel as if I am doing a small part in helping to make their lives better. I mentioned that it takes sacrifices to help the least of these: time, energy, prayers, and even financial. For a poor law student, my monthly donation is a sacrifice (you would understand if you were a law student minimizing Starbucks coffee intake). However, this is a great cause because there is a huge need. I can assure you that the the reward is far greater than the sacrifice.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneslef from being polluted by the world." This verse has been on my heart ever since I went to Guatemala. Again, this is a high calling. There are so many things in this world that are enticing and alluring. I have to be the first to admit that I daily allow myself to be allured by the things of the world. One thing that I have found is that when I am investing in other's lives and serving the least of these, I find myself thinking and concerned on the things of the Lord. This is what causes us to have pure lives-when our entire mind, body, soul, and heart are consumed with the things of the Lord. SO in summary, caring for the oprhans and widows=pure religion=protection from being polluted by the world!
I also write this blog to be reminded that Christ is the reason for this season. I hope and pray that you will take time this season to think about others needs. I know this is hard to do with all the gifts, family gatherings, memories, Christmas parties, finals, and other things that we have going on. But, I promise whether you serve with your time or money (0r both), you will be enriched as a result. I pray that the Lord will tug on your heart to become invested in the lives of others whether it is your neighbor, co-worker, or the 145 million orphans in the world.
If you are moved as a result of this blog and intereseted in giving, please visit the link. I promise your life will be changed as a result and you will not miss the money!
https://donate.bucknerfoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=2845
Until next time, be blessed!
1 comment:
Amy, I'm so proud of you and what you're doing! You are a gifted writer with a wonderful mind and will do MUCH to help the cause of the poor and fatherless. You go, girl! Love you!
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