I feel like I’m not actually doing anything. Does my passion and care matter at all if I’m not “making a difference”? If someone says they care about ensuring all kids have food, we would only take them seriously if they spent their time and money finding the hungry kids and giving them food, right? Why is this so? 

Honorable action is much wider than this. The arbitrary thought of one finding the “hungry kids” and giving them food is misleading and destructive, as it stops countless actions due to them “not being enough,” while at the same time being an unrealistic ideal. There is no register of hungry children. There is no way for any one person to break the systemic issue of hunger by themselves. So why do we all uphold this idea of personal isolated action as the ideal epitome of service and activism? 

Today, one individual writing a blog or reposting someone else’s work may unlock and connect more systemic change than a lifetime of meals delivered door-to-door. Speaking out is much more powerful, and is absolutely a real service to the needy, than has been believed. Change today happens when problems become felt and shared enough times that groups of people step out together and demand change. This never happens from one person setting out alone to solve the issue. 

If you have withheld involvement because you discount the power of resharing a post, realize right now that you are potentially the linchpin. Your network needs to see that you care—that you have enough conviction to speak even when outcomes aren’t certain. The paralyzing futility of ‘nothing will change anyway’ has silenced too many voices for too long. Results are never guaranteed, but that doesn’t change what Christ’s love compels us to do—to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Serve the person in front of you, speak to everyone else.