Orphan Sunday.
It’s not about a movement. Movements eventually fade away with time.
It’s not about a cause. Causes are embraced by a few and can often distract us.
It’s not about providing content for pastors who preach every Sunday. There are nearly 775,000 words fully able to provide content for a lifetime of 52 weeks.
It’s not about checking a box. One designated Sunday service of 52 Sunday services even if every word and moment of those 2 hours bled a particular topic does not allow anyone to say their job is done.
It’s not about telling people more needs to be done and urging the Church to adopt. It’s not even about adoption.
If it’s not about a movement, a cause, content, checking a box, or adoption, what is it about?
It’s about the heart of God. It’s about who we are as His children.
A devoted and faithful child cares about that which his or her father cares. As those who follow Christ, we are called to mirror His heart. And, His heart is for the one without, every single one without.
On Orphan Sunday, the Church reminds those within its 4 walls of the ones without its 4 walls who are dear to our Father’s heart—the 153,000,000 children around the world who are orphans—and need to be dear to our hearts not just during a pretty service, singing songs that stir our hearts, watching videos that leave us in tears, or hearing His Word preached and responding with Amens. Those things are not without purpose; they are tools He uses to grow our hearts to look more like His own. It just can’t end today because tomorrow is Orphan Monday and the next day is Orphan Tuesday then comes Orphan Wednesday, Orphan Thursday, and Orphan Friday…
His call. Our call. It isn’t about today; it’s about everyday.
Learn to do good. It doesn’t come naturally and is not easy.
Seek justice. It can be hard to find in a broken world.
Help the oppressed. Be comfort.
Defend the orphan, every orphan. They are His and, therefore, our little brothers and sisters.