Ancient Boundary Marker - In ancient Israel boundary lines were sacred because all property was a gift from the Lord. There are also boundaries given to us in God's Word that are meant to be the lines that we live between.
Can boundary markers get moved without us even knowing it? I think so, as we do life the seemingly important things get pushed back to take care of immediate happenings at our work, in our home and even in our church.
Proverbs 22:28 Don't move a boundary marker set up by your ancestors.
Proverbs 23: 10 Don't move a boundary marker or take the land that belongs to orphans.
James 1:27 is a call to action, it states " Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil."
God called His church to care for orphans in our community and around the world. To open our home, to provide food, to provide clothes and to extend the same love to them that we have received from our Heavenly Father.
What steps can we as the body of Christ do to reclaim these ancient boundaries in our community?
-Develop a relationship with your local Children's Services Department
Ask them how your church can help. Then follow quickly with action.
It might be: clothing, food drive, school supplies, etc. Whatever it is be ready to respond.
- Advocate for the need of foster, adoptive and respite providers in your church.
Facilitate an information night where your county workers can meet face to face with interested families.
Provide support services for those families who say "yes" to becoming adoptive and foster parents.
Be present, patient and consistent within your support in your county.
I don't believe God intended for government to care and provide for orphans. When Dr. Sharen Ford spoke at our National Foster Care Month Event this year she made this comment, "The Government makes a lousy parent. Children are meant to be raised by a family. Their birth family or another family when their birth family can't. The Government isn't family."
The Government was never meant to be a parent. When parents were not available for whatever reason to care for their children, the church was to step in and provide that care.
The children in our counties foster care system are the churches responsibility.
In James 1:27 I believe God was establishing a boundary in which we are to follow. It will look different for each person. But, we must be diligent and prayerful about asking God where we fit in this picture and then follow with obedience.
In caring for orphans around the world, churches can partner with an organization that helps churches sponsor orphans individually or sponsor an entire orphanage.
Being in the middle of God's will and being obedient brings joy and peace not only into your life, but those that God is calling you to advocate for. :)
