I once heard of woman, a single mother who posted on social media that she was going to take her life and the life of her young daughter. This woman told the world that wanted to commit murder and suicide because she was depressed.
Needless to say, I was horrified and disheartened for a few minutes and then I said a word of prayer that this woman and her daughter’s life would be preserved. I asked God to send them help, to send them people. And as I prepared to get on with the day’s activity, these words dropped into my heart:
“You don’t think it has anything to do with you, do you?”
At face value, I thought, no, it doesn’t have anything to do with me. A random woman somewhere wants to kill her daughter and herself because she’s depressed. Well, that’s sad. And horrifying. But it has nothing to do with me. I don’t even know this woman or her daughter and I really doubt that I am in any way connected to her depression. So, no, Lord, the whole story has nothing to do with me.
On a deeper consideration, I realised that it could have something to do with me.
God created the earth and everyone on it. He may not be Father to everyone, but He is God and Creator to everyone. He has appointed people to take ownership of certain roles and assignments here on earth. And He has certainly asked His children to spread His love, joy and peace. God is not surprised at the increase in the wave of depression on the earth. Actually, He prepared for it. He packaged solutions in advance. These solutions are people.
We don’t know why this woman is depressed. Perhaps, she has no money to fend for herself or her daughter because she lost her job or her business. Perhaps, she has suffered emotional and physical abuse and can take it no longer. Perhaps, her daughter is severely ill and she believes it’s better to end it all for both their sakes. It could be any reason or combination of reasons.
While we cannot take responsibility for another person’s decisions and actions, we can certainly ensure that we play our part in whatever assignment God has put in our hands because our response to God’s call could be the solution or deliverance that someone else desperately needs. We are all connected and our lives are interwoven.
Let us take this woman’s situation as an example. God has positioned the leaders, governments and people to provide jobs and business opportunities that could include her. He has positioned coaches, counselors and therapists who could help her. He has positioned doctors, faith healers and family members who could support her. And he has certainly positioned people to pray and take a stand against the spirit of depression, murder and suicide. The issue is not whether a solution has not been provided, the question is: where are the solution bearers?
I pray that we will understand what God has called us to do in each season of our lives, and that we will be free from the confusion, distractions and fears that hold us back from doing what he has equipped and positioned us to do.
So, yes, Lord. This ‘random’ woman’s incident may not be so random after all; it may have something to do with me. I repent of being caught up in my own little world, and I rise up to serve and solve the problems you have equipped and positioned me to solve in Jesus Name.