The Secret Millionaire

I love The Secret Millionaire programme on Channel 4.

Whilst watching it last night I suddenly realised something, that was probably obvious to most people who watch it, but it really struck me. Once the millionaires are placed in the community they are hoping to help in some way, they have to go and seek out opportunities where they can be of assistance, places and people to reach out to. They can’t just sit in their run down house hoping that the right people will knock on the door with fantastic opportunities for them to give their money to. They have to reach out the community, get to know the people there and the needs that they have. Then they can not only work out where to give their money but also how it will best be used.

It really struck me that we should be doing the same as the church. We shouldn’t be waiting in our buildings for the people that need our help to walk in and give us a clear description of how we can help them. People don’t work that way. Life doesn’t work that way. We should be out on the streets, in the community, searching out the people and groups that need our help.

Ok, so we don’t have millions of pounds to give away, but we have something far bigger and better than temporary riches. We have new life in Christ, hope, peace, security, value, joy and a whole list of other promises. We hold within us the potential to bring change to someone’s life, to give them life and not death. So, what are we waiting for? Why are we not out there seeking out the opportunities to make a difference to the people in our communities? What is it we're waiting for?

“Didn't I tell you everything's fine?
If there's a good and bad we're somewhere in between
Often I feel like we're all navigating blind
Could we get a change of pace to set the scene

We could stay another day in this confusion
Let it permeate us 'till we can't move on

But while we're waiting we could try saving the world
Or are we storing that up for a raining day?
I'm anticipating the time when it'll be my turn
It could be fun to try
I think that I'll save the world as a fun afternoon activity

Seventy thousand things to ponder today
Most significant are bottom of the list
Forty five million recipes and ways
To exaggerate and compound the stress

We could stay another day in this apathy
Let it permeate us 'till we're numb through

But while we're waiting we could try saving the world
Or are we storing that up for a raining day?
I'm anticipating the time when it'll be my turn
It could be fun to tryI think that I'll save the world as a fun afternoon activity”

Brooke Fraser – Saving the World