FOCUSING ON THE VULNERABLE
“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 it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
– Isaiah 58:6-7
Reconciled World’s passion is to make visible God’s power to transform the lives of vulnerable people. But who do we mean by “vulnerable?” The Bible speaks of the hungry and oppressed (Isaiah 58:10); the hungry, thirsty, sick, stranger, and prisoner (Matthew 25:31–46); those walking in darkness (Isaiah 9:2); the blind, lame, lepers, the deaf, the dead, and the poor (Luke 7:22); and widows and orphans (Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27). When we speak of vulnerable people, we refer to Scripture’s special place for all of those experiencing some kind of lack, brokenness, or injustice.
And yet we need to be careful—it is all too easy to define people only by these categories of need and lack. The Bible teaches that each and every person is made in the image of God and called to bring Him glory, to steward His creation, and to build His Kingdom. Many of those who are vulnerable need help to see who they were made to be and all the gifts and resources God has already given them. They need to know that they have a calling and a purpose far bigger and better than mere survival.
Some people are vulnerable because of a sudden calamity, like a natural disaster. They simply need help to get back on their feet. Others are dependents because of severe disability, or because they are orphaned young children or elderly without family. They will need ongoing care (primarily from their local church). But for the many people who have gotten stuck in generational poverty, our role in seeing their transformation is to restore hope and dignity, to teach skills and biblical truth, and to point them back to God for wisdom and provision.
Examples From Our Work
Worldview Training Initiative (formerly Ending Gendercide)—After years of teaching applied biblical truth, the team in India felt increasingly burdened by the issue of violence against women and girls. India is recognized as the most dangerous place to be born a girl because of abuse, neglect, and assault. And so many aren’t born at all, but are aborted because the family doesn’t want a daughter. The girls and women of India are among the most vulnerable. Following God’s leading, the team refocused all their efforts on this need, and so Ending Gendercide was born.
*Worldview Training Initiative stopped operations in 2024
The leaders of the Wholistic Development Center seek to admit the most vulnerable students for each incoming class, primarily ethnic minorities from rural villages. It’s not easy. Many come barely able to read, never having had the opportunity to learn about Christ, addicted to drugs (a rampant problem in the rural areas), and unprepared for the hard work of learning a vocation. It can be frustrating and discouraging—investing into the lives of young people who have so much potential but so many obstacles. But seeing graduating students who are grounded in their faith and hopeful about the future makes it worth it.
‘FOCUSING ON THE VULNERABLE’ BOOKLET
If you want to go deeper in understanding what this principle is and how you can apply it – this booklet gives more information.
GO DEEPER
If you want to learn more about this principle and how to apply it, you can find articles and a free downloadable booklet at the Framework for Transformation website.
FROM THE BLOG
Here are two of our favorite blog posts related to the core principle Focusing on the Vulnerable. You can read more related posts here.
Praying for Widows
I had the opportunity to visit India a few months ago. While I was there, I met and talked with a widow named Nagamani. She was young—I’m guessing under thirty. Yet when she lost her husband, she felt her life was over…
Love and Dignity Amongst the Differently-Abled
In working with those with special needs, we walk on hallowed ground. It is a place where GOD himself walks and talks to us through people who may not be able to respond or behave the way you would expect them to.