So, why give my life to serving orphans? Because I believe that God has a soft spot in His heart for orphans.
Wow, that was the easiest, shortest blog I’ve ever written! I see you still have a full cup of coffee beside you, so let’s unpack this question for a minute.
Where do I come up with the idea that God has a soft spot in His heart for orphans? Well, where do we learn anything about God? This thought came to me through my daily reading of Scripture.
I first noticed that God wanted the Israelites to always be conscious to care for and take care of the needs of the fatherless (Deuteronomy 14:29). This was so important to God in fact, that He included it in the Law.
Then I read passages like Isaiah 1:10-17:
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
Wow! this was really important to God! He really wanted the Israelites to be conscious about the needs of the fatherless. He really wanted them to invest their time, talents, and resources into caring for orphans….
This same desire that God had for Israel has been transferred to you and me today (James 1:27). In fact, I believe the Bible even takes it one step further by stating that we should have such love and compassion for others that if we see a brother or sister in need and we have the ability to meet that need, we should! (James 2:15-16)
God is a father to the Fatherless… He loved me and wanted to adopt me so much that he gave His Son for me! It’s seems like a small sacrifice for me to give of my time, talents, and resources to care for those children who cannot take care of themselves. These abandoned babies in South Africa are completely helpless. They can do nothing for themselves and will die without someone stepping in and being an advocate for them. I want to be that someone!
So, why orphans? Well, I ask you….. What better way is there to love God than to love what He loves?