Galatians 6 - Do For One What You Wish You Could Do For Everyone

What can I do?

Have you ever asked yourself this question? Child prostitution, fair trade wages, genocide...these issues can all feel so big, what can one person do?

So many times we see injustice around us and feel inadequate to make a difference. Just driving my car through the city, I will see a number of people who are struggling and begging for money. I can't afford to meet all their needs or even meet all their needs for just one meal. And if I gave them money, how do I know it would be used in life-giving ways?

I think we have all wrested with these questions at one time or another. Galatians 6:2 tells us to:

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We can not ignore the struggles and injustice around us. But how can I change the world?

Well recently, I heard someone say, "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone." The truth is that I can't help everyone and if I were to try to spread around the money I had available to help those in financial need, each would get such a small amount that no one would really be helped. If we are to have an impact, we need to really invest in the right way. You need to go deep, rather than wide; go long-term, rather than short-term, go time, not just money.

The idea is that we need to find the issue and area that we feel God calling us to and then find the place to focus that attention. In Galatians 6: 9,10 we read:

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

If we examine our life and circumstances, the right opportunity will present itself. But we need to be aware and ready to do good and invest. No one person can solve a problem, but if you pick one person...one situation and really invest, you can have a great impact.

Now it is possible that you are reading this and thinking, it isn't fair to not help everyone. It is true, it might not be fair to take one homeless person for a meal and not another, but the truth is, it is OK not to do for everyone what you would do for one. If you only did things for one that you would/could do for everyone, you would be overwhelmed and overextended and no good to anyone. It is OK to just do for some.

What is the injustice or issue that God is calling you to? Can you identify one person or one place where you can invest deeply, over the long-term, with your time? You might not be able to do for everyone, but you can do for one.