What Can I Do?

Rev. Marvin Bublitz

by Marvin Bublitz

I am in Nova Scotia as I write this. Hurricane Dorian passed over our heads a few days ago. By the time you read this, it will be long forgotten by most, except those who lived it and are still putting things back in order.

What can I do? How did you read that question? Did you read it with a sense of hopelessness and helplessness? Some would. They would throw their arms up in defeat and cry, “What can I do?” I heard some describe what they saw outside their windows as Dorian stormed through. They said things like, “We saw that big tree swaying back and forth. The ground was lifting by its roots. It was either going to land on the road or our house. But what could I do?” Indeed, what could you do? It’s not as if you could run out and hold the tree or tie it up somehow.

What can I do? Did you read the question in a sense of eagerness to help? Some would. They see a problem, a person in need, and immediately ask what they can do to help. Many have done just that, from the Bahamas to Newfoundland.

Some years ago, I was visiting a shut-in member of our congregation. I took her the last five weeks of bulletins, as I usually did. As she glanced at them, she seemed to become sullen and I asked her what was wrong. Her eyes were drawn to the appeals for help in the bulletin; we had a supper coming up and hands were needed, we had a budget shortfall and funds were needed.

She tapped her wheelchair and said, “What can I do?” she asked with a tear in her eye. “I can no longer help with suppers or funeral luncheons. I cannot help with the Altar Guild or spring cleaning. I have no money after paying for the care I need here. What can I do?” She obviously felt helpless and of no value to the congregation. I put my hand on hers, and I said, “Let’s have Communion and let Jesus do for us.”

All month I thought of her. When I went to see her next, I said I had a favour to ask. I needed her to do something that unfortunately many in the congregation were too busy to do. “What can I do?” she said, not with a tear, but rather with a ray of hope in her eyes.

I gave her a copy of the congregational directory. “Please pray for one family every day,” I said. “You have the time here.”

“I can do that,” she almost shouted. Every time I would visit, she would ask about different families for which she prayed. She wanted to know their needs and how the Lord was answering her prayers.

Too often we feel it is up to us to do something. But when the storms of life surround us, we are reminded that what we need is Jesus. It is He who did for us.

Too often we feel it is up to us to do something. But when the storms of life surround us, we are reminded that what we need is Jesus. It is He who did for us. It is Jesus who calms the storms in our life. It is Jesus who did something, everything, for the biggest problem we face: everlasting death in hell. So no matter what we face, He is our rock and refuge, an ever-present help in time of trouble.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-6

What can I do? When you hear someone ask that question, or you ask it yourself, direct them to Jesus who did, does, and will do all for our good. For while we were helpless and powerless in our sin, Jesus died for us. And He cares not only for our everlasting life, but He cares for our life here and now. So as He directs us through St. Peter, cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV).

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Rev. Marvin Bublitz is Regional Pastor for Lutheran Church–Canada’s East Region.

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