Do I want to help people?

Mood: Passionate

A fellow blogger left a very thought-provoking question on my last post, and - I hope he doesn't mind- I would like to respond and open the floor for your input. FYI: I actually maintain two blogs but usually post the same on both - this comment was posted on my other blog at http://donnawonna.modblog.com

The questions were:
"Do you want to help people?
or
Do you want to help people find the Lord?
Both of these missions are grounded in the Gospel. Which one do you feel led to?"

Great question, Penguins.
I would say that there is only one answer to both questions: I want to help people, but the only way to really help them to is to lead them to the saving knowledge and changing power of God through Christ. He is the only lasting Cure for broken people. Often secular psychology methods - this is even admitted by those who practice/teach it - seeks to alleviate symptoms of their emotional/mental problems and issues. They do not profess to give a cure or to permanently relieve the client/counselee of their issues... they aim to help the person function more normally in society. It often becomes a "revolving door" effect, in that the person comes to counseling, feels better for a while, then comes back to the same problems and the cycle starts all over again.

I have a deep compassion and burden for those who are struggling and suffering emotionally and mentally. But the greatest thing I can do when attempting to help them is admit that I can do nothing to cure them. In and of myself, I do not possess the power to cure someone of their wrong thinking, depression, anxiety, marital problems, etc. However, I CAN point them to the source of all healing: our Father God through His Son Jesus Christ. I don't mean to make it sound simplistic - it is not as simple as having people pray the Sinner's prayer, read some Scripture pertaining to the topic, and send them packing. Rather, it is helping them first come to an understanding of their utter brokenness and sinfulness, as well as the reality of a loving God who made a way for us to be restored to a body/mind/spirit that will one day be completely released from sin and its effects - sickness, suffering, depression, and death. By Jesus' death/punishment for our sins and His resurrection proving His power over sin and death, we can live in hope that we will one day be free of the sin and suffering that bears down on us in our present state. And not only do we have a promise of that after we die, but that the effects of eternal life and renewal begin at the point that we accept Christ as our Savior and trust Him with our lives, and the Holy Spirit begins to change our hearts and minds (John 17:3, Romans 12:1-2). We encourage them to follow Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to change them from the inside out - God, our Creator, is the only one who can really change a person so who else should we direct them to?

I have a deep desire to bring the radical power of this reality to not only people who have not believed God for salvation, but also to those who have accepted Christ but have not acknowledged the power of God to transform them. So many people in the church - saved and unsaved - do not realize the tremendous power that the Gospel can have on their lives. I want to teach people to think rightly and according to God's Word, to have a fuller understanding of who God is and who we are because of who He says we are. I want to help them understand the practical implications of Scripture and the Gospel in their lives: in their relationships with God and others and in their spiritual, emotional and mental struggles -since every one influences the other.

So, I guess in a word my mission is the Gospel, as it is for every believer. However, I am beginning to believe that my personal calling is to specifically lead people to the changing power of the Gospel in every aspect of their lives, including their emotional and mental struggles. The location or avenue of ministry is insignificant - the need is universal and is cross-cultural.

Now I ask you: if you are a Believer of Jesus Christ, what is YOUR ministry of the Gospel? Is it to live according to and for the glory of the Gospel in business or in an office setting? Is it to live the Gospel by how you serve at a restaurant, in government, in science, in teaching? How are you living the Gospel - or how do you THINK you should be living the Gospel? Please comment - I would love to hear your input on this.