Have you ever felt completely helpless? I know I have! Without the help of others, I am not sure I would have survived during that time. When I escaped my abusive marriage, I was utterly overwhelmed and powerless. For decades, I had tried and often managed to hold everything together, but suddenly things were far beyond my control. Still, during that horribly trying time, I learned that God is indeed a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1).
Not only did He send people to help me with practical things like safe housing, but he began to show me His true nature through scripture. As I was able to untwist the many lies, I had come to believe about Him and myself, I was finally able to experience the peace that surpasses human comprehension amid great distress. My Advocate in heaven made a way when there seemed to be no way. It was truly as if “He lifted me out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock” (Ps. 40:2).
Perhaps you can relate? Scripture tells us that we are all helpless in a spiritual sense. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). John 14:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Advocate, and Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus “lives to intercede”; on our behalf (see also Is. 53:1, Rom. 8:26-27, 34).
God knows we need help, and it’s important to Him that we get it! Not only does He advocate on our behalf, but He commands His followers to do the same. “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (Ps. 82:3-4). These scriptures and many more tell me that the concept of advocacy originated with God.
If you’ve been following Called to Peace Ministries (CTPM) for any amount of time, you probably know that advocating for the oppressed is a significant part of our ministry. If I had to choose the organization’s sole purpose, I think advocacy would be it. I believe it is a mission that reflects the very heart of God. Hosea 4:6 says that people perish for lack of knowledge, and when it comes to advocating for domestic abuse victims, a lack of knowledge can be deadly. That is why educating those who want to become advocates is so important to us. To date, over 200 individuals have taken at least one of our online advocacy courses with House of Peace Publications. However, with an average of 150 requests for help coming into CTPM each month, we must have more people equipped to respond to this complex issue! Currently, all of our volunteer advocates have full caseloads!
We hope that, in 2021, we will be able to bring a full-time advocate on staff. As we close out in 2020, I pray you will consider coming alongside CTPM to support those who have become helpless because of oppression in their homes. We are so grateful for your heart to help those who need it most. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Is. 58:6)
*Note: Our 2021 advocacy classes begin January 5th, and we’d love to have you join us.