Sometimes we get so caught up in the things we think people need, we forget that the one thing everyone really needs is Jesus. A relationship with Him will put people on the path to having everything they could ever want and more.
I had a conversation about a young woman who lives in Ecuador and is doing everything she can to make ends meet, but the money she makes isn't enough to cover much more than her basic living expenses. She wants to go to college and get the education she has always desired, but cannot because every higher paying job that she has been offered is on a weekend where she wouldn't be able to attend church. She refuses to sacrifice her growing relationship with Christ. Wow. What a testimony! I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord will bless her in more ways than she could ever imagine because of her faithfulness. This conversation really got me thinking... what if there was something we could do to help women like her? What if there was a way that these women, who exist all around the world, could attend college and better themselves because there were enough people who believed in them? Man, could you imagine?
A few members of our team went on a home visit today while the rest of us taught VBS or did construction. The family that they visited built a house for themselves with the help of their family in hopes to have a better life. They have very low income and the mother is in college to become a CPA. They knew they couldn't buy a home because they would never be able to afford it. The mother also had gone away from the church because she was ashamed that she didn't have a Bible. She didn't want to be ridiculed for having to do without. She told this to our team and then they presented her with her very on Bible. Our team had no idea she was going to share that story with them. She was so grateful that she was brought to the verge of tears. They don't have much, but what they do have are the greatest gifts we could ever possess. Love and family.
Isn't it interesting that our troubles are universal? Financial problems, health problems, marriage problems, etc. All of these things happen to everyone in the world. We all have to juggle stuff. We all wish that things were better from time to time. We get so focused on getting things done that we forget to take time to stop and give praise. We all have to put our trust in God to direct our path. He knows our every need.
Our VBS lesson today was about Jesus washing people's feet. What better example of servanthood than to wash your brother's feet? We are called to go out and spread the love of Christ that we have been so graciously given. No matter whether it is in our own back yard or thousands of miles from home.
Something amazing is happening here. Something new, something grand. I can't wait to find out what it is, but I do know that serving others is one of the most important things Christians are called to do. Even in the midst of our mess. Christ wants us exactly where we are, mess and all.
The song "As You Find Me" by Hillsong United played over and over in my mind today. Your love's too good to leave me here.
I've been strong
And I've been broken within a moment
I've been faithful
And I've been reckless at every bend
I've held everything together
And watched it shatter
I've stood tall and I have crumbled
In the same breath
And I've been broken within a moment
I've been faithful
And I've been reckless at every bend
I've held everything together
And watched it shatter
I've stood tall and I have crumbled
In the same breath
I have wrestled
And I have trembled toward surrender
Chased my heart adrift
And drifted home again
Plundered blessing
Till I've been desperate to find redemption
And every time I turn around
Lord You're still there
And I have trembled toward surrender
Chased my heart adrift
And drifted home again
Plundered blessing
Till I've been desperate to find redemption
And every time I turn around
Lord You're still there
I was found
Before I was lost
I was Yours
Before I was not
Grace to spare
For all my mistakes
And that part just wrecks me
Before I was lost
I was Yours
Before I was not
Grace to spare
For all my mistakes
And that part just wrecks me
And I know I don't deserve this kind of love
Somehow this kind of love is who You are
It's a grace I could never add up
To be somebody You still want
But somehow
You love me as You find me
Somehow this kind of love is who You are
It's a grace I could never add up
To be somebody You still want
But somehow
You love me as You find me
Who am I
To think Your glory needs my praises
But if this borrowed breath is Yours Lord
Take it all
You are faithful and You are gracious
And I'm just grateful
To think You don't need a single thing
And still You want my heart
To think Your glory needs my praises
But if this borrowed breath is Yours Lord
Take it all
You are faithful and You are gracious
And I'm just grateful
To think You don't need a single thing
And still You want my heart
Here are a few pics from our day:
