We have tandem thoughts on this, Christine.  Here's a quote from an article I finish writing this afternoon:

"How important it is for us to act when our hearts are stirred with compassion, rather than just sit on the sidelines and think about it.  Each of us has a unique place in God's universe.  We are made in His/Her image to fulfill a special part for the redemption of us all.  God loved us into being, and when we pass that love along to someone else, we are literally the hands, feet and heart of Jesus and have the transformational power to change someone's life for the better.  Just like God did for us.  Just like someone in our lifetime did for us."