I was speaking today to someone who works in schools as a mentor. One of the students who she is working with had said to her, ‘you’re the only one who tells me I have done good’.
It is so tragic to think that we live in a society where it is possible for a life to be so broken at so young an age.
As I prayed about this I was struck at how much hurt there is in our world and I was reminded that we need to cry out to God on behalf of people who are feeling broken and hurt. God cares deeply for the oppressed and needy and he longs for us to share his passion and to do something. As the body of Christ, we are his hands and arms called to reach out and to bring the healing love of God to a hurting world.
Sometimes it is hard to know where to start, and I think that initially we need to be more aware of how we speak to and treat others. Do we treat the people around us well and with the respect that every human being deserves?
Secondly I think we need to pray. Individually we can’t be the answer to the problems of the world, but we can all make a difference. Let’s ask God what part he wants us to play and then have the courage to take a risk and do something.
If you are interested in mentoring children in schools but you don’t know where to start then I would encourage you to look at the work of TLG (The Education Charity) and in particular their early intervention scheme. TLG trains volunteers as Behaviour Coaches to go into schools and support primary-aged children through issues which are often outside their control, such as family breakdown and bullying. You can find more details of this on their website.
I thank God that the young person who I heard about today has met someone who is willing to believe in him and to tell him that he has done good. I believe that every human being is made in God’s image and I believe that that gives us immense value. So many lives are broken but God wants us to bring his hope, healing and restoration to a world and people who are so desperately in need.
Who can we tell that they have done good today?
Honest about my faith 