Change ONE

Recently I came across this startling statistic on a friend's blog: "if just 7% of Christians adopted one child, there would be NO orphans in the world." Translated down to less mind-boggling terms, this would mean only seven out of every one hundred Christians could completely change the world by bringing just a single needy child into their homes. Completely eradicate the orphan crisis. Be an incredible witness to the world of what it means to be truly "pro-life". Act as God's hands and feet to a dying and broken world. Live out the very picture of the Gospel. Just 7% of us could do all this. Kind of blows the mind and convicts the heart, doesn't it?
In light of this statistic, I wanted to introduce a little challenge as the New Year swings into full gear. This year, in 2010, let's each do something to change ONE orphan's life. Some reading may be in the position to adopt, but probably many of us are not able to yet (myself included!). But instead of thinking that adoption is the only thing we can do, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Behind every sweet adoption story are perhaps hundreds of others involved. There are the prayer warriors who lift up adoptive families' many needs and challenges to God and mercifully plead the cause of the fatherless and forgotten before the throne of grace. They are making an eternal difference in a child's life. There are adoption workers, orphanage staff members, and many other professionals working every day to write new stories of love and redemption for these precious little ones. There are adoption advocates who spread a vision for ministry to orphans. There are people who live out God's call in James 1:27 to "visit orphans and widows in their distress," ministering to children face-to-face with the agape love of Christ Jesus. There are child sponsors who provide food, housing, and medical care for orphans awaiting forever families. There are men and women, teens, and even young children who step out every day to back adoptive families with financial support. What part could we play in all of this? Where we could fit in to make a difference in ONE orphan's life in 2010? No matter what our limitations or situations, we can each do one thing for one child this year because of ONE mighty Savior who has granted us every spiritual blessing and given us new life as adopted children in God's kingdom. And while we're at it, let's see if we can find seven friends to join us. One by one, spreading the vision of orphan care and adoption ministry throughout the church with Jesus' power and for His glory alone, we can be the 7% who can keep any more children from having to live as orphans, forgotten and alone. Will you join me in making 2010 a year to change the world for orphans?