Shifting the Dial

written by Kelly McFadden "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." — Matthew 11:30 Dr. Don Schoendorfer, founder of Free Wheelchair Mission, put his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering to work by creating a simple, sturdy and inexpensive wheelchair for those in need around the world. Bob Campbell, real-estate entrepreneur, teamed with his local church, offering business knowledge to build partnerships between numerous organizations to help create a program for emancipated youth to get the education and stability they need. Andrea Wherry loved to bake cakes. She baked unique and personalized cakes for homeless children on their birthdays, giving them a special day to remember. Her simple act created a birthday ministry to needy children in her community. The problems of this world can feel overwhelming and out of reach when we read the news or look around us. There are difficult issues that seem beyond our ability to help or do anything. Have confidence in this: God did not call you to be what you aren’t or to do what you cannot. While you will not be asked to fix all the problems around you, you are called to use the gifts He gave you to serve others. There are challenges and difficulties when we partner with Christ in this life; however, Jesus reminds us in this verse that His yoke is easy compared to the alternative. He will never give you more than you can bear. While the yoke is a labor tool for oxen, it is a shared tool. The weight will never fall on your shoulders alone. In fact, your primary partner is the Lord. It is He who carries the weight of the burden for you. Although the world’s problems seem insurmountable, God does not ask us to fix anything. He asks us to use our unique mixture of gifts and talents to shift the dial from despair to hope. Each time you do the work God has set before you, you are a part of His great plan in bringing hope to a hurting world. Search your heart and see what gifts and tools the Lord has given you to be able to reach out and help others.