12 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
Luke 12:1-3
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Dear God, I woke up this morning kind of convicted about something. Then these verses from Luke were part of the church’s Gospel reading for today and this part of Psalm 19 was the verse of the day from Bible Gateway. Conviction complete. I need to pray through this.
So, I’m frustrated with another agency in town. I’m not totally sure what to do about it, but I know what I’ve been doing isn’t right. For a long time now, I’ve wanted them to do more to serve the community. It has seemed like they do their thing and then that is all. They don’t raise their game to meet the growing need. Then, I figured out several months back that they have a ton of money and resources compared with what they are spending. In the particular year I looked at their IRS 990, I saw they brought in about three times in revenue what they spent on program, and their program spending had actually gone down between 2024 and 2025.
What have I done with that frustration? Nothing constructive. I’ve mentioned it to a few pastors and nonprofits in town who have a vested interest in their work and serving the same types of clients. I’ve actually discouraged a couple of donors from giving to them when they asked me directly whether or not they should. But I haven’t gone directly to them and asked them to explain their actions. I know the president of their board. I haven’t had the courage to ask him what’s up.
I woke up with this on my heart this morning, and then I read these passages: “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” I need to find a way to constructively challenge this agency and invite them into doing more. And if they don’t respond to me, perhaps invite others to join me in inviting them. And if that doesn’t work, start talking about solutions to the problem in the light instead of “behind closed doors.”
Father, thank you for this still, small voice asking me, “What are you doing here?” You have some work for me to do, and I am hiding. I’m sorry. Guide me, Holy Spirit, as I try to do better.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
