The scale of poverty in our world is overwhelming. We may feel powerless to make a difference in the face of such enormous needs, yet we can find hope. How we respond matters deeply not just to the woman in need but to Jesus. Every act of mercy offered to one vulnerable woman is received by him personally—”you did for me,” Jesus says.

God never intended righteousness to be a passive state of mind; He designed it to include a relentless pursuit of justice. Being righteous is a gift from God, but it also includes an active expression. At its heart, righteousness describes our alignment with God’s character, while justice is how that alignment translates into practice.

Every year on July 4th, Americans gather to celebrate freedom. We celebrate the blessings that come with living in freedom—the ability to make our own choices, pursue our dreams, worship according to our beliefs, and live without being owned or controlled by another person. For millions of women and girls around the world, freedom is not something they take for granted. In fact, many have never truly experienced it. While many of us celebrate independence this month, countless women and girls remain trapped in situations they cannot escape on their own.