Reaching In to Reach Out
If you have a church background of any Evangelical type, outreach is a word that you know well.
There are so many types of outreaches: large and small events, ongoing service in the community, benevolence funds and projects, special featured guests that bring awareness or attention and then there are the personal, one on one, campaigns like door knocking or greeting people out in open air spaces.
The latter are usually the scariest for most people. Talking to strangers about nothing is hard enough, but talking to them about something important is near heroic to some. It’s super important though. Anyone can broadcast, especially with Social Media, but few can connect with compassion and honest concern without coming off as superior.
For people out on the front lines of this type of outreach, whether it is strictly about the salvation of souls or the saving of bodies from abortion vendors, the intentions of the hearts of participants is the one factor that can make or break success.
Success as defined as reaching goals. The intended goals of the campaign may be lofty and very good, but if the people are in line with the goals without the complimentary heart motivation failure is sure.
So, how do you know if your heart is right? What is driving you to participate? What are your personal goals in being there? What do you want other people to see you accomplish?
When you ask your self these questions in an honest and probing way, reaching deep into your own motivation, then you will be able to participate in outreach that is aligned with your heart.
40 Days for Life NH starts today. The director of the Manchester campaign had many goals. As she read them off, I found myself in agreement, wanting to help out and in prayer.
When I was in crisis, threatened with death if I didn’t have an abortion, I was able to call on someone for help. Saving my baby saved my life.
Some of the people that go to the abortion vendors don’t have anyone or they don’t know they have anyone to call upon to help them. Those who stand and pray are a tangible evidence that there are people who care, people who can help them get the help they need and a reminder that they are valued.
Abortion advocates paint the proLife witness at the clinics as mean, judgmental and even cruel. There are the rare self-righteous yellers, but they are very rare.
I have met hundreds of people who stand out on the sidewalk offering help and hope to the customers of the abortion vendors. Many have resources for the clients leaving their abortion appointments that let them know that when the regret does hit them and they realize that they need help dealing with their pain, there is help.
Truly, their hearts are for all the people impacted my the scourge of abortion. They deeply care for the preborn, for their moms and for their dads.
“Above all else, guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of Life.” Proverbs 4:23
I spend time checking my motives and evaluating my goals on a very regular basis. In my prayer time and with accountability friends.
How’s your heart? How do you decide what to get involved in?