For years, my wife and I have sponsored a child through World Vision. At first, I sponsored this young boy to inspire my own kids and make myself feel better, but my motives have matured. God continues to remind me how blessed and how rich I am compared to the poverty stricken people around the globe.
I’m haunted by a recent picture I saw with a young girl bent over, collapsed on the ground from hunger. In the background looms a huge vulture peering at her, waiting for her to die. I’m told that the photographer went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for the photo. Eventually, he committed suicide–you see, he made no effort to save the young girl. He lived with that guilt for years. I don’t want to be like that photographer.
For some reason, God keeps bringing a verse in the Book of James to mind. In James 1:27 it says: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: tovisit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
I’ve thought about this verse many times as I’ve been writing my novel. This past year, I’ve been inspire by authors like David Platt and Francis Chan who are using there writing for a greater good.
So in that same spirit I’m committing my writing to a greater cause. I’m committing 50% of all the royalties I receive from The Guide to Compassion’s Highly Vulnerable Children’s Fund. This fund helps orphaned children and the needs of at-risk children.
I encourage you to consider giving to this fund. Click on the Children’s Fund link to the right if you’d like to give directly to the fund.
thanks,
Scott Johnson
