Hope for New York

Twice last week on my way to work as I stepped on the always-packed A Train, I experienced that excited feeling one gets upon spotting open seats during rush hour and knowing that you are likely to be one of the lucky few. I naturally, along with the people in front of me, made a bee line in that direction, but as I approached the seats I noticed the others pausing - as if pondering whether to sit - and then quickly moving away to another part of the car. I was momentarily perplexed, but then I arrived at the seat and noticed, sprawled in the adjacent ones, a passed out homeless man. As I moved away to escape the stench, my spirits fell low and I was consumed by the conviction that, as a Christian, I was supposed to react differently, to do something to help. What though? I felt powerless. New York City is on its knees and if the pundits are right, it's going to get worse before getting better. The prevailing spirit of depression - both emotional and economic - is hard to escape, especially when compared to the exultant mood of a few years ago. If those of us in more affluent circles are poignantly aware of this change, imagine how it impacts the less fortunate members of our community. Unemployment figures are soaring up over 8% and the city's homeless statistics estimate that at least 35,000 individuals are without shelter during this coldest of winters.

So what are we to do with this information? There are many people who have devoted their lives to fighting this overwhelming economic and spiritual poverty, and we are called to support them and their work through prayer, encouragement and charitable giving. But frankly, that isn't enough. Each of us is called to be in the trenches and one of the best ways to do this is through volunteering a little bit of our time. God commands this of us: "You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in the land." (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Each of us is called to be in the trenches and one of the best ways to do this is through volunteering a little bit of our time.

Hope for New York (HFNY) provides access to a number of faith-based organizations that are committed to bringing healing to the weak and hurting. These organizations are always under-resourced and in need of additional help, all kinds of help. So what are your skills, gifts and loves? Can any of these be put to use for the good of our community? On Sunday, February 23rd, HFNY will be hosting its volunteer fair after each of the church services. Stop by to meet some of the good men and women who work in these organizations. Ask them about their organizations, offer to pray for them, and consider how your skills might be utilized by one of them. For you, volunteering is a meaningful way to spend some of your unallocated time; for these organizations, volunteers such as you can be their lifeblood.