“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone…” – Galatians 6:10.

Sometimes God asks us to go all-in, and by that, I mean all-in to serving our community in a BIG way.

I have a new friend from Oklahoma who felt God calling him to help elect the next governor. It was a scary step to take his faith public and risk being targeted by the media for it, but he committed to helping elect a godly leader and went all-in to living out his faith on the campaign trail as he advised and directed. And in the end, he succeeded – his friend is now the governor of Oklahoma.

Martha and I met another friend at a meeting in Naples a few months back who has a big heart for serving her community but was unsure how to start. Then God revealed to her the plight of foster families, who often step in to help in emergencies when the state response is slow. She saw an enormous unmet need for physical items such as strollers and car seats and felt God calling her to start a thrift store that would support these families and help raise money for families in the trenches of the foster system who need help fast. She responded, "God, I will do it, but I don't know how!" Today, there are several thrift store locations and so many people that have been blessed in SW Florida because of her “yes” to God and to her community. (listen to her interview here)

The reality is that our world is broken; our communities are broken; broken by sin, by poverty, by hatred, by darkness. And tragically, the Church has largely turned over its responsibility to bring hope, healing, and provision to government programs. But God is asking you to step up, to bring hope and healing to your community and all He requires is willingness. A willingness to live out your faith and a willingness to listen to the stories of those hurting around you. Be willing, and God can and will use you to bring healing and hope to your zip code. Our series of books, iRetire4Him, iWork4Him, and sheWorks4Him, all have stories of people just like you living out their faith in their spheres of influence. You can now buy all three for just $30 - read and share them with a friend!

Jim