Stories from Advocates

My name is Darryl Smith. I am 42 years old, married and have two sons 17 and six. I consider myself an average guy. I believe that I am a considerate person and I strive to be a light in our world of chaos but sometimes don't feel like I do enough to make our world a better place. Making a difference is important to me.

When I look back on my life I remember very well the day I decided to be someone who impacts the world in a positive way and I was quite determined because there were so many bad things happening that it was quite overwhelming for me.

As I reflect on that time in my life, it is obvious to me now that it was God's Spirit at work causing me to change and desire the things that are pleasing to Him. The Bible says that we are created in the image of God. As we enter into a relationship with Him our lives are changed and we become more like His son Jesus Christ. Our selfish desires are replaced with the desire to be like Christ and to do the things that are pleasing to God. The love of God indwells us and His desires become our desires.

When I read through the Bible I see that whenever God's people were oppressed and without hope, God was moved to take action.

If we are a follower of Jesus Christ it should be no surprise to us that we would react in the same way when we see the poverty and injustice in our world. When Jesus saw the plight of the people, He too was moved with compassion.

I have seen what poverty and hopelessness looks like. It is overwhelming and it can prevent you from taking action because it is difficult to know where to begin. As the saying goes, we can't save the world but we can save the world for one child. That is why Compassion is so effective and that is why I became an Advocate – I too was moved with compassion and God's Spirit spurred me on to do something about what I saw.

I am just an average guy, but with God's help there is hope for those that need it most. I can make a difference by being a voice for those that cannot speak for themselves. I need to speak out and then by God's grace others will be moved with compassion and reach out to help.

Darryl Smith, Compassion Advocate