"Somebody Should Do Something About That"

"Every time we think, 'somebody ought to do something about that' chances are, that somebody is you."

I hated that quote when I first heard it 20 years ago because it means I cannot merely suggest what I think someone else needs to do.  It means I must take personal responsibility for my faith, my family, my community, and my church.  It is easy to make suggestions.  It is difficult to engage.  But I am sure each of us have had a "someone need to do something" moment recently.  

It might have been at home.  Family is often a series of "ought tos" and "shoulds," and we sure think we know what everyone else's family is doing wrong.  Why not start with your own contribution to your family?  Maybe something as simple as a more streamlined morning routine to learning how to pray together as a family would bless your family.  If something should be done in your family that will bring you closer together, why not do it?

It's almost always true in your faith.  Many of us are hungry for God in new and fresh ways. Nothing is preventing us from opening the Bible to read and explore, opening our heart to pray in new ways, and opening our eyes to see where God wants to us to share his Word and his heart around us.  You are supped to grow closer to God, so why are you waiting for someone ELSE to do it for you?  Never let fear-filled phrases like "I don't know where where to start" keep you from taking the first step.  Asking God to grow you is a prayer He will always answer. 

We live in a unique community here in Oswego.  There is both wealth and poverty.  There are first generation immigrants and children who are so privileged all they have in life is money - and nothing much more.  If you see a need in our community and are waiting for something to be done by someone else, you might be waiting for years.  Why not ask God what it is he wants you to do, and then find the faith to follow through.

One of the things I love about God is the gift of imagination he has given each of us.  When we begin to pray and imagine (often the same thing) how life, family and faith could be different and better we are breaking through with an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to invade our lives.  And once God gets ahold of a willing human heart, heaven is the limit!   

What is it you thought someone else needed to do this week?  

That someone is you!

-Pastor Geoff