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How to Determine What Cause to Support

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So many good causes. Social media does a fantastic job of spreading the news about those who don’t have a family, haven’t heard the gospel, need rescued from slavery, or just need a helping hand.

Such limited resources. All of us only have 24 hours in a day. Sure some have fewer commitments than others, but still. None of us has all the energy or money that it would take.

Downside is that this fact often keeps us from doing anything at all. If I can’t help everyone, I won’t help anyone. I don’t want to play favorites or make a choice.

If I had my choice, I would foster and adopt from right here in our community (which we did) AND be on the mission field in a foreign country while serving on multiple boards of nonprofits doing great things. Then every time I was made aware of a cause that needed money, I would give, generously.

The truth is I can’t be in two places at once. I only have so much time to devote to nonprofit volunteerism. And who among us has an unlimited amount of money?

The reality is that none of us can respond to every good cause. So, what do we do?

Embrace What Is Placed Right in Front of You

What does that look like?

  • Paying attention. Sometimes we get distracted by things that get the most publicity. Usually these are things that are far away or are the trendy thing. But what you might have something right in front of you begging for attention.
  • Taking hold. To embrace means to take hold of something in your arms. Many times we hop from one cause to another never really taking hold of what’s in front of us.
  • Accepting enthusiastically. Embracing also means accepting and supporting. What is right in front of you might not get any other attention. Question is will you embrace it enthusiastically?
  • Understanding seasons. In my experience, what we embrace as a good cause many times is only for a season. For example, my wife and I lived in Thailand as missionaries for six months. We volunteered at a children’s home for three years. I served as a missions pastor also for three years. I am about to resign from a nonprofit board that I have served for over four years. All of these are examples of opportunities that are still good causes, but my involvement in them was for only a season. And, that is ok.

 

Take a look at who and what is right in front of you. What do you see? A child who needs a family? A neighbor who has a need? An opportunity already brought to your attention?

Bottom line—you have the time, talents, and resources to invest in something or someone without much effort. Simply open your eyes and heart to what God has placed right in front of you and embrace it.

About the Author

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I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 35 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012.
As a small business and nonprofit coach/consultant, I have found my sweet spot. I lean on my varied background of corporate, small business ownership, writing, and pastoring as I work to help small business owners and nonprofit founders build the business they want to have.


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