Do More!

My sister recently found this poem while looking through our mother’s Bible. It was obviously a poem that our mother liked, and was inspired by, because it was reflected in her life!

     Do More
Do more than belong: participate. 
Do more than care: help. 
Do more than believe: practice. 
Do more than be fair: be kind. 
Do more than forgive: forget. 
Do more than dream: work. 
Do more than teach: inspire. 
Do more than earn: enrich. 
Do more than give: serve. 
Do more than live: grow. 
Do more than suffer: triumph. 
     ---William A. Ward

I would like to comment a little on this poem and hopefully let it encourage and inspire you also. It has obviously encouraged me by the very fact that I am writing this blog. I have been negligent in doing any writing for over a year, because I have been busy with other areas of ministry: traveling, proofreading and editing my husband’s book and other articles, teaching, etc., etc. ….  But to be honest, those things have only been excuses! I know I really could have done more!

Unfortunately, COVID has given us all reasons not to do more. We are exhausted, we have brain fog, our memory has been messed up, we experience confusion, lack of energy and inspiration to do anything more than absolutely necessary to get us through each day. We have convinced ourselves daily that it is impossible to do more than what is required for today. We struggle through life one day at a time, thinking we are doing really well if we can at least accomplish that without giving up completely!

However, today I am inspired to do more! It isn’t enough to just belong in this world, I must practically participate in doing what I can to make our world a better place socially, economically, ecologically, culturally, educationally, morally, emotionally, etc. You get the picture!

I must ask myself the following questions and endeavor to answer them honestly:

I care about a particular situation, but is there any way I can help?

Do I practically apply my beliefs in my everyday life?
Am I kind to others that have been treated unfairly?

If I have been wronged, am I willing to forgive, even though I may not be able to forget?

Am I working towards making my dreams and goals a reality? 

Do I inspire others to act upon the message I am teaching?

Am I sharing God’s provisions for me to others in need?

Do I go beyond giving to engage in service to those without hope in this world?

Am I just placidly going through life, or am I intentionally growing spiritually and intellectually?

Do I “suffer in silence” what life throws my way, or am I emotionally and spiritually victorious?

Will you join with me to DO MORE in 2025?

Romans 8:37 NLT “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”