i blog for compassion (1).

when it comes to trying new things and stepping outside of our comfort zones we are all TERRIFIED, are we not? 

if you say you aren't... it's probably because you've already experienced that initial "first step out."
you've already overcome the fear of the unknown and you're comfortable with new life experiences.

as for me? i'm not quite there yet.
and i'm utterly jealous that you've already made it to that point.

okay. you're probably thinking why is julia getting so deep on us today.
what in the world is she talking about?
this is not normal.

well, you see, a couple of weeks ago i signed up to be a compassion blogger through the compassion network.
ya know, that amazing organization where you financially sponsor a child in another country that is living in poverty.
yeah- that one.

ok, but what is a compassion blogger?

it's basically a way to inform your blog readers of important issues in the world, focus minds on poverty and third world issues,
and show a little of what moves your own compassion.

each month i will be sent 1-2 topics to blog about. 

each topic will be focused on poverty, servitude, and awareness.

and today you're getting to read my first one! lucky you!
 

the topic i was sent was:

Which Bible Verse Prompts and Guides You to Serve Others?

i firmly believe that we are on this earth for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve others.
and 1 Peter 4:10 tell us this:
"each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, 
as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

we are here to minister to others, show God's love in every aspect of our lives,
and to use whatever gifts God has given us to do GOOD in this world.
we have so many opportunities in our daily lives to help other people, but a lot of times we don't acknowledge those opportunities,
or even have a desire to do something for another person.
but why is this?
brianne at the compassion network answered this well...
"the reality of poverty can be overwhelming and daunting to a point of disabling
us from truly engaging in the mission to serve God and others."

we wonder what to do, how to do it, and if we will even make a difference because of the fact that there are so many issues in front of us.
what we don't realize is that even the smallest thing can make the biggest difference.
from holding the door for someone to helping an elderly person to their car.
from volunteering at the local soup kitchen to donating blankets to shelters.
from a smile to a mission trip.
anything and everything makes a difference.

my life is driven by this.
i have so many things i want to do and so many people i want to impact.
granted, i am 2 and a half years into my social work career where i have the opportunity
every single day to make a difference in people's lives.
i am so blessed with this.
and i actively volunteer in every situation i possibly can.

however, i have this ridiculous dream of doing more. going more places. helping more people. but 
i just haven't taken that initial step out of my comfort zone. the comfort zone i was just talking about.
i'm still living in this warm, comfortable, financially stable, and safe environment.
but yet i long to get out of it.
i long to give it all up, travel to africa, and work in an orphanage.
i long to sit on dirt floors with children and do nothing but praise the Lord with them.
i long to live a life of poverty even for a short time to see what others experience.

via.

i ask myself why i haven't done any of this yet and i'm still trying to answer that.
i just know i'm getting there one day at a time.
i'm letting God lead me each step of the way and trusting that my time will come
that my idea of a "comfort zone" will just slip away.
because really... He is all the comfort i will ever need.
and this dream of serving in another country will never, ever go away.

via.

"and let us not grow weary of doing good, 
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." 
Galatians 6:9

go here to find out more information and how to become a compassion blogger yourself!

and don't forget to enter an amazing ad space giveaway here.

xoxo.