Have you ever heard of an idea so incredible, so amazing that you thought it was impossible to accomplish.  Something so simple, yet requires an amazing amount of faith?  This month our youth series used the movie “Pay it Forward” in which a 7^th grade boy is challenged with an idea.  He was to find a way to change the world and put it into action.

In the movie, the boy comes up with this idea that becomes a movement that inspires and spreads.  His idea is to simply do something for three people.  It has to be something big, something they can’t do for themselves.  Then those three people do something for three people, so on and so forth. 

An idea like this is so simple, but has the potential to change the world.  It requires, however, a great deal of faith.  The incredible thing about this idea is that it’s nothing new.  Jesus Christ lived His entire earthly ministry with the pay it forward mentality.  He taught His disciples the same thing and then told them to go forth and make disciples of the nations.  He teaches his disciples to pay it forward, and they, in turn, should teach others to pay it forward.  You know where that leaves us, paying it forward!

Much like the movie, this idea requires a great deal of faith, both in our Lord Jesus Christ and in each other.  Jesus fed thousands, healed the sick, and even raised the dead.  He continually associated with the poorest and the most needy.  Jesus never expected payment for his services, but instead, explained that we should go out of our way to help those in need. 

When an official came to Him and asked about eternal life, Jesus explained the pay it forward idea.  He explained that when someone is in need we should not just pass them by on the road like the priest and Levite.  We should, instead, be like the good Samaritan and help.  We are called to not only bandage them, but to ensure they are taken care of.  When the official told Jesus that we should love God with everything we have and love our neighbor as our self, Jesus replies by saying “Go, and do likewise” in other words, Jesus says, “Pay It Forward!”

Gary