A lot of discussion and debate can be made on what true religion is. Inspiration? Works? Grace? Belief? Faith? Yet one of the direct and simple definitions given by the Bible of what religion is can be found in James 1:27: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” While there are two main aspects to this definition, let us focus on “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” which is to say in other words, take care of them, check up on them, don’t forget them.
If we check up on the fatherless and widows, orphans, we will become aware of their needs and thus aroused to supply for their lack. By so doing, we would be practicing “true religion.” While this fact is undeniably eminent, it is often times overlooked. We know and believe that God will provide for them, but often times we neglect to realize that God does so through us. We are His tools to relieve the needy. Some of us do not realize what it means to be without the care of parents. Most of us do not realize what it means to be hungry, but if we could just imagine for a second what it would be like to have no food and no hope for food, and then imagine what it would mean for someone to provide us with food, then we could have a slight glimpse of what it would mean if we individually started to take part in being effective tools in God’s hands to provide for the basic needs of others.
After Peter’s denial of Christ and repentance, Peter’s reinstitution as a disciple included the following commission: Feed my lambs (John 21:15). This commission was given after Peter emphatically declared His love for the Lord. To feed the Lord’s lambs has both a spiritual and physical aspect to it and one does not undermine the other. If we love Jesus, we would feed His children. Once the bare necessity of hunger is met, then the mind can be open to spiritual truths. We must first meet the physical need.
Admittedly, many of us do not know how to reach orphans and widows with food ourselves, but there are organizations that do. Such organizations need our financial support. One such organization is “Restore A Child.” It was founded by a woman who was an orphan herself and is therefore inspired by the spirit of true understanding and care that is necessary to effectively help those in need. Restore a Child is a humanitarian non-profit organization serving thousands of children around the world by providing basic care: food, water, medical care, education, and in some cases shelter. It not only provides these needs but endeavors to ensure sustainability and food security by helping to dig wells and funding agricultural development projects. By so doing, it inspires people to take charge of their lives and provides them with the tools, it provides them with hope.
It is not so much as going out there yourself and doing it, which is highly recommended and encouraged, but it is also about doing what you can in the meantime: financially supporting. Whether a large or small amount, a steady commitment to supporting can reach and help in ways that will make a life changing impact for children. To be a part of touching someone’s life is a blessing beyond measure. “… The fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.” Deuteronomy 14:29. Bless and be blessed!
