I have been seeing a lot of posts about end of year retrospection and beginning of year goal-setting lately. This is not necessarily a post like that. It is, however, a call to arms. I have been inundated with thoughts lately on how I can make a difference with the abundance that I have been given. How do I become a better steward of what I have? Then I read this…
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein
How do I do this? I think the first thing is to realize that my life — my story — is not just my story anymore. Government and other organizations can help and should help to fight poverty and to stand up against injustices, but it cannot stop there. Institutions can provide the environment and the means to produce change. But for change to stick, it has to happen in each of our hearts.
So then, is it also your and my responsibility to fight against poverty; to stand up against injustice? Absolutely!
And so, I offer you some opportunities to be a part of change — a chance to help live a life for others. After all, it is not just my story or your story anymore. This is our story.
A few organizations I have chosen to support are the City Rescue Mission of Jacksonville and the Got Your Back Movement.
City Rescue Mission’s goal is “to serve the homeless and needy by rebuilding their lives through the love and compassion of Jesus Christ”. They provide an environment — not just shelter — but also an opportunity for people to rebuild their lives. There are a couple opportunities available right now to help CRM. One is by clicking the “like” link on this site. Another way to help is by donating a coat at any Burlington Coat Factory store in JAX and receiving 10% off your entire purchase. Click here to find out more.
Got Your Back Movement is an interesting organization that I stumbled upon last Christmas. GYB’s mission is to Restore Purpose. Give Hope. Show Love. GYB provides school uniforms to children in need worldwide. This helps to create sustainable change globally through the impact that education creates in every aspect of life. “Shirt for Shirt” is one of the ways they accomplish this. You buy a shirt and a child gets a school uniform. You buy 2 and 2 kids get uniforms. Easy math. To make it even more awesome, there is a challenge out right now from Will Hill – GYB’s Executive Director. Tomorrow is his 30th birthday. The challenge is to provide 30 kids with uniforms for his birthday. So far, there are 5 more to go. Click here to be a part of the birthday challenge.
It’s not my story anymore… How about you?
-Nathan
P.S. You can check out City Rescue Mission on Twitter and GYB on Twitter.
