147 Million ANSWERS

God woke me up yesterday morning very early, way before my eyes were ready to open.  Even though I really wanted to, I just couldn’t go back to sleep.  The words, “147 million answers” kept scrolling through my mind, as I tried to drift back off to sleep.

I wondered why that phrase was in my head.  Then I realized what God was trying to tell me.

There’s a current ministry, 147 Million Orphans, that helps raise orphan awareness.  Suddenly the words, “147 Million Answers” meant something to me.

There should not be 147 million orphans, there should be 147 million ANSWERS.  With 147 million answers, there would BE NO ORPHAN CRISIS.

A friend asked me the other day what we can do to help the orphan crisis.  The answer is SO EASY, yet not enough families are willing to make this choice…ADOPT.

If every Christian family adopted just ONE orphan, we would not have an orphan crisis.  Do you understand that?  The answer to the orphan crisis is right before us.  147 MILLION ANSWERS.  ADOPT.  We should become a part of the solution.  Answers to the question of how to solve the orphan crisis.  Our answer should be YES, I will adopt.

Many people say not everyone is called to adopt.  You know, I’d like to beg to differ on that one.  Sure, there are people who are simply not eligible to adopt, but how many people hide behind the excuse that they’re just not called to adopt?  What about James 1:27?  What about all the verses about caring for  orphans?  What about all the injustice scriptures?

How many wonderful, ELIGIBLE Christian families are out there making excuses when they could actually become a part of the solution by answering with a YES, I will adopt?!?!  I believe there are AT LEAST 147 million answers out there…147 million ELIGIBLE Christian families who could simply say yes to adoption, yet they’re choosing to take the easy way out by ignoring the orphan crisis, believing that adopting just one child won’t make a difference. 

YES IT CAN!!!  If every eligible Christian family adopted just ONE child, we truly wouldn’t have an orphan crisis.  Yes, there would still be orphans in countries that are closed to adoption, but even then, if the Christian families within those countries would step up and adopt, even those closed countries would have fewer orphans.

The answer to the orphan crisis seems so easy.  It’s right before our eyes.  147 million orphans ANSWERS.

Won’t you join the movement?  Become an ANSWER to the problem by saying YES to adoption!!!

And if you don’t know why I’m begging you to become a part of the 147 million ANSWERS, just click HERE to read my friend, Adeye’s, post.  A massive awakening is what is needed to open the world’s eyes to the way orphans are living day in and day out.  Help spread the word.  Open our eyes, Lord.

Let’s start a revolution.  147 million ANSWERS.  Join us.  Adopt a child.  Step out of your comfortable life, open your heart, your home, your family.  Your heart will never be the same, and that’s a good thing.  Click HERE if you don’t know where to start. 

An orphan is waiting for you to say YES today.  147 million answers.  Join the movement.  Be the solution.  Yes, adopting just ONE child really can make a difference.  Imagine 147 million Christian families saying YES.  147 million orphans ANSWERS.  Amen!!!

EDIT (2/16/12 at 9:35AM):  This post has been up only a few hours and I'm already hearing complaints about how expensive adoption is, how people can't afford it, etc.  First, let me say, aren't you glad Jesus didn't make excuses when God commanded Him to hang on the cross for us?  Aren't you glad He didn't say it would cost Him too much?  He was willing to give His very life for you and for me, no excuses. 

Second, let me say, yes, I know first-hand how expensive adoption is.  No one likes the expense.  All of us wish it were more affordable.  There's nothing we can do to change the expense related to adoption, BUT there are solutions to this excuse, and that's literally all that is...an excuse to not pursue adoption.  If you really want to live out what Jesus has called all of us to do (in James 1:27, along with a host of other scriptures), you will commit to being a part of the solution without any excuses.  Adoption via the US foster system is usually free or very low-cost, so there goes the excuse that adoption is too expensive.  Also, if God steers you in the direction of international adoption or private domestic adoption (via an agency, not via foster system), yes, there will be expenses that seem impossible to meet on our own, and, on our own, we won't be able to come up with the required ransom.  BUT GOD!!!  He WILL meet the need.  He is our Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  Even when the task seems impossible, we have to remember that everything is possible with our Father.  He has no problem raising the ransom.  Most of the time, it doesn't come in one simple gift, but through prayer and perserverance, commitment and hard work, you will see God provide in unfathomable ways.  I've experienced it first-hand, and most adoptive families will share the same thing.  Jehovah Jireh always provides.  That's just who He is.

So, please don't make excuses.  Just say YES, the same as Jesus said YES to us.  Be one of the 147 million ANSWERS, not excuses.  YES!  YES!  YES!!!