Summer is winding down, school begins soon for many and the weather is (finally!) outstanding, beautiful and inspiring. If you’re like me, that means your tolerance for reading some long missive from me is basically nil.

Yet, the call to incarnate the love of God as experienced in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus is always upon us. Our scripture, tradition, experience and reason tell us we are to be advocates for justice; that we are to be the hands, feet and voice of Jesus in the world, especially with and for the most vulnerable among us.

Fortunately (and obviously), the unending reach of the internet has flattened the globe and enabled us to raise our voices even in the midst of vacations, school preparations and doing anything and everything we can outdoors.

Poverty.

Hunger.

Modern-day slavery/human trafficking.

Water.

Peace.

The needs of the world are tremendous.

But so are the resources of the people of God! So, as always, I encourage implore you to prayerfully discover the intersection of your passions and the world’s needs.

And then respond.

Need to be more informed on issues?

Try this tool from the advocacy arm of the United Methodist Church, the Board of Church and Society.

Need to be inspired?

Read this amazing, poignant story from Nicholas Kristof about a child’s incredible generosity and the Charity: water campaign she inspired.

Want to make sure your members of Congress do the right thing by supporting the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011?

Consider this and follow the steps.

Haven’t forgotten about the devastation in Japan earlier this year?

Use this to send a word of hope.

Or, for something completely different, log off and go buy some school supplies for families in need right here in DuPage County. Bring the supplies to church and we’ll get them to our wonderful partners, West Suburban Community Pantry.

Pray, read, click, give…act. Sometimes being Jesus-followers is as simple as that.

[Note: This is a slightly edited version of a post originally written for my church eNewsletter, which drops Friday, Aug. 12]