I love to read and try to set a goal for myself of devouring several books each month. Many titles I can't even remember, but many truths I have read are indelibly etched in my mind. One book with an unforgettable message is The Cross of Hitler by Erwin Lutzer.

In that book, Lutzer examines where Christians were leading up to and during the Holocaust. He relates one story told by a man who lived during that time, who describes how the church he attended was situated close to the railroad tracks. During church services, trains would sometimes pass by. Often they could hear the screams for help from those imprisoned within on their way to certain death. So what did the church do?

They sang louder so they couldn't hear the screams.

Now before you or I heap too much shame on these brothers and sisters of 70 years ago, let's examine ourselves. What are the screams we're trying to drown out? Who do they belong to?
Do we turn the channel when a starving child appears on the screen? Do we close our eyes on the airplane to avoid conversation with the person beside us? Do we ignore the phone call of someone in need? Do we pack our schedules so full and get so exhausted that there is no time left for cries for help?

Once again the Bible raises the bar. We're not only to watch the hungry child, we're to feed her. We're not only to stay awake through the cries from the person beside us, we're to listen and respond. We're not only to stay available to urgings from God, we're to actively look for opportunities to serve.

Jesus always took time to feel compassion for those in need, and He always followed by doing something about it. He felt compassion for the sick, and He healed them. He felt compassion for the hungry, and He fed them. He felt compassion for the grieving, and He raised their dead.

In James 2:15-16, we're clearly told that being persuaded isn't enough--we need to put legs on on that persuasion. "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?"

What are these words saying to us? Keep your eyes and ears open to those in need. Stay aware of those people God brings across your path. Maintain an open heart.

Then do something about it! Put legs on your faith! Put legs on your persuasion.

I teach a Bible study at a home for troubled teen girls. A few months ago, I talked with them about godly beauty, and then we showed them how to apply makeup. As I was driving home, I remembered Jesus words, "In as much as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me."

And then it dawned on me. I'd just painted Jesus' toenails!

Yes, we're busy and stretched and stressed, but none of those excuses will mean anything when we stand before Jesus. Don't sing over their cries for help, stop and cry with them. Stop and help them.

And when you do it to them, you'll be doing it to Him.