Open Letter to the World – My Response FORMAT

I am participating in the Open Letter Challenge writing contest organized by Josh Irby. I’ve never done anything like this before, but as I read the letter and thought about all that crosses my path from day to day, I felt I had to respond. The following letter is my response to An Open Letter to You from the Rest of the World.”

Dear World,

Thank you for your recent letter. I’m a bit slow in getting it answered, but that always seems to be the case. Projects and people, and needs, and well, you, are always calling. It’s hard to find a moment to sit and just think.

Please know you are never forgotten. I wake to the silent cries of forgotten children, the little ones eking out survival in the shadows of your darkest city streets. I walk through the day with the knowledge of your affliction, of oppression, of hopelessness. I go to bed wondering, “Was it enough? Could I have done more?”

My letter to you will be short, but from the heart.

I commit to do my best to give as my Savior has given. One thing I ask in return: Do not look only to others for the solutions the world needs. Do not wait for someone to make a difference. Do not resign yourself to mediocrity. The letter you sent to me is just as pertinent to you.

Choose to be relevant.

Look around you.

See a need.

Pray.

Take a Step.

Your action will bolster those who are already striving, exhausting themselves in the fight. The more of us working together, the greater the difference we’ll make.

Make wise decisions. Live for God and others before living for yourself. If but a few of us are giving and most are taking, the resources will quickly end. But if most of us are giving and few are taking, our joy will overflow.

You may ask yourself, “What can I possibly give?”

Consider your letter, the things you ask of me. I am not rich, yet I give what I have. I have no more time than the man next door, yet it is yours. You have asked me to hold nothing back, so I ask you to do the same:

Give yourself.

As I press on, I hope you will join me

One choice,

One day,

One LIFE at a time.