Key Question: As we pursue a life of service and care, how do we avoid burnout? What is the best way to maintain an inner life that sustains the work of justice?
Can you believe it? This is the last episode of season one! We couldn’t have asked for a better guest to help us close out this season than Jedd Medefind.
Jedd serves as the President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), and previously led the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush. Jedd has also written several books, including Upended: How Following Jesus Remakes Your Words and World.
There are two extremes we can commonly fall into when seeking to serve the vulnerable. On one side, we can feel pressured to do so out of guilt or a sense of duty. In the other direction, we can seek to serve the vulnerable to make ourselves look good or even to receive accolades for our efforts. The key to avoiding either of these extremes is cultivating a healthy spiritual life where we go deep with the Father to receive just as much as we give.
In this conversation, Jedd shares what it was like to work in the White House, what led to his involvement and passion for the work of CAFO, how we can live a life of both pouring out and receiving deeply, and more.
NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR IMPLICATIONS:
A good tree will produce good fruit. As we grow deeper in relationships with our Heavenly Father, we should see it affect the fruit we produce. Our ability to “pour out” as we support those in need is directly affected by our intention of “receiving deeply.”
Meet Our Guest
Jedd Medefind is the President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and the author of several books. CAFO unites member organizations and a global network of churches in shared initiatives to serve vulnerable children and families worldwide – from foster care and adoption to family restoration. Jedd previously led the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush, held various posts in the California State Legislature, and served in more than 30 countries from Christian Life Bangladesh to Price-Waterhouse, Moscow. Jedd and his wife, Rachel, live in northern Virginia with their five children.
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Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:
Episode 1: The Surprising Connection Between Atonement and the Work of Justice (w/ Dr. Jeremy Treat)
