I’m wondering if my last post was a bit harsh.
I try to write about my own journey. I’ve said many times – I’m not qualified to tell anyone else how to follow Jesus. Re-reading Tuesday’s reflection, I wonder if that’s how it came across.
If so, I apologize. I’m simply sharing what I discover along the road. Please take what’s useful, leave the rest.
I’ll confess – when I read Bonhoeffer’s story and understand the choice and the sacrifice he made, it’s difficult for me to avoid feeling like I should be doing more.
Henri Nouwen, a great Christian thinker, said, “We’re not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.”
I get it – all of us aren’t called to risk our lives standing up to a ruthless dictator. But for me, at least, “extraordinary love” seems to imply some level of sacrifice.
An example – I ride a bike, an extremely ordinary activity. Millions of people ride bikes.
In 2011, I decided to crank my handcycle the entire length of the Mississippi River, raise funds for children, and create a story worth sharing. An amazing community that became The FREEDOM TOUR has come together around that story.
Hundreds of people walk, cycle, volunteer, donate – ordinary things done with extraordinary love. Next year will be our 15th anniversary. This amazing group of folks has donated more than $1.1 million to support a group of kids rescued from the horrors of human trafficking.
I’m beyond grateful for what these folks have accomplished. I’m still not satisfied, and won’t be as long as millions of kids are enslaved and abused.
You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do.