When we think about giving hope to others, first our heart needs to be centered like we are on a rescue mission. We need to have the tools, understanding and the motivation to go out for a rescue. Most people who are spiritually lost, or who have been abused, or abandoned, are in pain and feel lost within that pain. They are looking for a path back. They lost their way, they lost their joy, and they desperately want to regain it, but they don’t know how.
If you think about it we have all been in that situation where we didn’t know where to turn. We didn’t know who to reach out to and deep down inside we just wanted someone to show up and help.
When someone is lost, they don’t know which way to turn. They are not in a position to save themselves. Those of us who desire to give hope to someone who is lost, or hurt, or who has been harmed, or betrayed, need to be like the shepherd going after a lost sheep. The shepherd goes out after them. We can’t wait for them to come to us, we have to go to them.
When Jesus goes after the one lost sheep he goes after the sheep as a good shepherd does. He doesn’t say “well if the sheep starts to come back to me , then I will go out and rescue the sheep” he doesn’t wait for the sheep to start to wander back.
And so we need to take steps toward those who need to be rescued. Is there someone in your community, your neighborhood, your place of business, your church, who is not engaged, who seems lost, who’s despondent, hasn’t been active, or who has stepped away for a few weeks from activities?
Don’t wait for them to start to come back, go after that one person. Take steps towards them. Be invitational, be intentional and be authentic. Call them on the phone, stop by their home, invite them to spend time with you, and just start to get to know them. Rescue starts with going out and opening up opportunities to build a relationship of trust.
It takes time. It is one person at a time.
The key is to follow up and follow through. Just keep taking steps towards them. Pray for wisdom and guidance to know what to say, when to say it, and when to take the next step.
That is how you can help rescue someone who’s hurting. That is how you build community of faith and hope. Then, once that relationship has fostered and trust is built, a time of revival and refreshing of their spirit occurs with your love, friendship and the Hope that is inside you.
Don’t wait for them to turn to you, you go after them.
Be blessed to be a blessing to someone today.
This is what JAS Ministries is all about. We team with others to go out with a mission to restore and rebuild lives with Hope. One step at a time one person at a time. We can help your organization equip others to be on a rescue mission in your community, your business, and your church.
Let’s go out and bring Hope!!