I write and share stories that I believe are from the LORD on my Facebook page entitled Good News to Share. That isn’t just the name of the page, but a calling GOD has placed on my heart. I don’t have any musical talent; nobody would want to hear me sing, and I find it hard to organize my thoughts when I try to speak in public. Strangely enough, I’m not really a writer either, but this is what GOD gave me to do. I must rely on “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9 KJV).
To reach more people, I am always looking for people to read and share my posts. Most of my audience is in countries where life is hard, hunger and disease a constant threat, and poverty can be deadly. In some of these places Christians are physically attacked, tortured, and killed for their faith. Their homes, businesses and Churches can be destroyed in the name of another religion. The government may not sanction religious persecution, but they do little, if anything to stop it. In those places the persecution is real and so are the tears.
So, what is the difference now? There is nothing new about hunger and disease affecting the poor, and religious persecution has always been around. Throw in natural disasters, politics, greed and war and you have the world’s sordid story, with an ever-changing cast of characters. The difference is I can see their suffering, I read and hear their desperate pleas for help! I’ve been to places like that! Those who ask for help are polite, and extremely respectful. Some of their desperation begins to show through when I don’t reply to their repeated messages.
So why can’t you reply? If I reply to only a portion of my thousands of Facebook Friends, I won’t have time to share my stories. I’ve tried to explain that I don’t have enough money to help them, but they are desperate, and can’t afford to accept my answer. I’ve unfriended some because they flooded my page with requests. That’s why I stopped replying to their messages and posted a notice stating I can’t chat or financially support them or their ministry but offer them my stories free of charge. I shed real tears because I can’t help, but even if I gave them everything I have, it would only help a few and then I couldn’t fulfill my calling.
I must follow the LORD’s lead. He gave me these stories to spread the Good News with a lost and dying world. As bad as the plight of the poor and needy is, it is worse if they are not saved. In fact, the WORD my stories point to, is the key to meeting their needs, both now and for all eternity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Salvation unlocks GOD’s blessings and the “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10 KJV). JESUS told us, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV).
I know the poor’s tears are real, and I am touched by their pain and suffering, but I don’t have enough to meet their needs. I will point them to JESUS and He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20 KJV) and that is more than enough!
Wayne Lance (2022) – That’s Good News to Share!