How often do we decide that we can wait a little longer to do something for someone else?  We say things like, “Well if they are here next time, I can do something then.”  It’s often a typical response, is it not?  The truth is, our first reaction and impulse is to help those in need anyway we can.  It should be.  Then, we decide to sit around and wait for the world to change on its own, instead of doing anything about it.  

We’ve all seen the pictures of people at the stop light, the street corner, under the bridge, holding the sign - homeless, without food, need work, and the list goes on.  We’ve see the guy sleeping under the bridge, the man in the wheelchair, the child begging for food, the family without anything, literally.

We’ve become good at rationalizing how others may eventually come to the rescue.  Believing the person behind us at the light may be the one to give the homeless man some kind of hope.  Wondering if the person sleeping under the bridge knows about the homeless shelter.  We’ve asked ourselves, “Where are that kid’s parents, and how could they do that to them?”  Making statements like, “Maybe they should move into a smaller house if they can’t afford the bills, and they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.”  The attitude seems to be more of a judgmental one, than that of a passion to actually do something for those in need by any means possible.  But what if we were in the situation they are in?  Homeless, hungry, hurting, without.  How would that change the way we think?

Jesus at one point, starts talking about a time He was without food and clothes, hurting without a place to sleep.  Then when asked when that was, He simply said, “You’ve missed the point.  There are people right here in your midst that are in need and you are overlooking them.  By overlooking them, you’ve actually overlooked Me.  If you see anyone you come across that is without, help them by any means that you can!  In doing so, you are not only blessing them, but Me as well.”  

I guess if the day comes when people are no holding signs, sleeping under bridges, going without food, or simply being without, then we’ve done our job.  Until then, we need to do something to change the world by reaching out to the hungry, needy, the naked, and all those who are hurting.  And maybe by doing so for the least of these, we are truly blessing Christ.

So, do we sit back and watch to see if the world changes on its own, or actually help those in need in an effort to change the world?