6 Ways You Can Dare to Care

Two years ago today, 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haran. Fifty-seven escaped, but from the rest ... silence. The world stood in horror. The Church prayed. The First Lady got involved. And we all cried out "Bring back our girls!"And the mothers are still crying. With gaping holes in their hearts they wonder if their girls have been raped, sold, wrapped in explosives and used to bring terror and death to others.A proof-of-life video has surfaced showing 15 of the girls.Two mothers have identified their daughters, Saratu and Hauwa, and another mother has identified five more of the girls.While the video is still being authenticated, it is the first sign of hope these mothers have had in months.Can you imagine? The easiest thing to do when you hear stories like this is to shut it down and move on. It's painful. It's hard. And we feel powerless to do anything to help. I want to ask you to choose a different way. I want to ask you to dare to care.Here are 6 Ways You Can Dare to Care.

1. Learn boldly. We are inundated with so much information. And so much of our "news" is entertainment. Would you choose to look at one video or read one article today about these girls? Here's a link for you.

2. Pray boldly.  Two years is a long time to pray when it doesn't seem like much (anything) is happening. But would you choose today to pray boldly that God would, even now, "bring back our girls?" Pray boldly. 

3. Share boldly. This is a "downer" of a story. We like puppies and kittens and hilarious videos of wisdom teeth, brothers, and zombies. But could you share with a friend or two and perhaps pray together right then, right there that God would orchestrate a rescue? Share boldly. 

4. Give boldly. There is no organization related to this particular situation that is raising funds. So, do not give to anyone to bring back our girls. However, do give boldly toward social justice initiatives around the world. International Justice Mission is a place you can start.  Give boldly. 

5. Feel boldly. Allow yourself to imagine yourself as one of these mothers. Allow yourself to feel the feelings, to grieve, to be angry, to empathize. But rather than being paralyzed by compassion, let it move you to action.  Feel boldly.

6. Act boldly. Be done with the day of doing nothing and do something. Perhaps today you can't actively work to bring home these girls, but there is something you can do in your corner of the world today. Open your eyes. Look around. Is there someone hurting, vulnerable, in need? What can you do to help? Act boldly.

My heart breaks for the 219 that are still missing. Can you and I dare to care for these girls today? Please join me today over at my Facebook page. Link articles that you read about the girls or their families. Write out prayers for the girls. And share any ideas you have about how you and I together can dare to care.

Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;    forget not the afflicted.Why does the wicked renounce God    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,    that you may take it into your hands;to you the helpless commits himself;    you have been the helper of the fatherless.Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;    call his wickedness to account till you find none. Psalm 10:12-15