missing in action

It's been awhile since I've blogged (six days - SUCH a slacker!), and it's also been awhile since I've posted something substantial (i.e. more than catching up on sleep and freezer mishaps). So here goes.
This Sunday at 11:00am (give or take) found me standing in the third row at church with tears pouring down my face (I'm normally a front-row-lover, but we sacrificed the fave position to sit with some friends). We were singing Amazing Grace, and had just sat through one of those sermons that leaves you feeling overwhelmed by God's grace, completely unworthy, and ashamed of the small, selfish life it's so easy to get wrapped up inside. As if the stress and frustrations of my life (finding maternity clothes that fit, trying to get all the laundry done, fighting off a cold) are anything compared to some of the hurt and pain that is experienced around the globe every single day.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I'm not quite sure what to do about this yet... but the impact of knowing that ultimately, God has saved us by sending Jesus, but on a smaller level, He is saving people by sending US... that's not something I can not respond to.