‘As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God’. (Psalm 42:1)Friday 19 November marks the 41st year of the ‘Children in Need’ telethon and since it was first broadcast in 1980 the charity has raised over £1 billion for disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK.
With so many needs in this world, not only for children but for all those who are suffering, it’s easy to get ‘compassion fatigue’: the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others. Its symptoms can include feeling hopeless or powerless, angry, sad, or numb about the plight of others. Individually, what can we do about so many problems?
The theme for this year’s telethon is ‘Together we can’, which sends the message that individuals working together can make a difference and that children in need are not alone.
The greatest need of all human beings is to be reconciled to their Father in heaven. As Christians, we may have ‘compassion fatigue’ about humanity’s plight and wonder what we could possibly do about the situation?
Thankfully, we are not alone: Jesus has reconciled the world to his Father through his death on the cross and the Holy Spirit is drawing people into that reality. Our Christian responsibility is to join with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in sharing this good news.
On our own, it’s an impossible task, but by participating together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in sharing the love of the Father, we can make a difference.
Have a good week sharing the gospel.
Pastor Barry
