Mercy and Self-centeredness . . . never the two shall meet.
I have the privilege of knowing a young lady from church (httd://nursedesiree.blogspot.com) who will be leaving in about 4 days for Liberia, Africa to serve as a Registered Nurse on a Mercy Ship. (www.mercyships.org).
The Lord has put her on my heart so I was compelled to check out what she will experience. Merely watching the videos from the ship's website left me speechless. It's amazing to see the needs that are so extensive and yet personally know someone who is willing to make a difference. I am overwhelmed and begin to question the insignificance of my own little world. My 'knee jerk' reaction is to think . . . why aren't we all going with her to do our part? How can we just sit back knowing that the need is so great?
But whether it's in Africa or in our own home town, wherever there are people, the world is full of needs. My heart cries out - WHY - but then I was lead to read where it is written in John 9:1-3, 6 "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. Then He spit on the ground, made some mud with saliva, and put it on the man's eyes."
Seldom do we understand completely the suffering that goes on around us. How often it seems to much to manage so we turn away from it and allow only our own lives to consume us. Little do we realize that it is then that our fruit becomes self-centeredness. But not Jesus. Despite the many needs around Him, He was willing to be part of the solution. Just like my friend, Desiree, Jesus reached out and did what God gave Him the power to do. Sometimes it was one person at a time - sometimes it was 5,000 people all at once - but ALWAYS God equipped Jesus so that His glory was on display!!
So how do WE take steps to 'make a difference'? How do we bring the glory of God into the world outside the boundaries we've set up? Well, maybe it's to financially support people like Desiree who will step out and serve countless people on the Mercy Ship or maybe it's merely checking in on a neighbor who is struggling with loneliness. Our part is to make ourselves available. Ask God to prepare your heart to reach out to someone. Ask Him to provide you with knowledge of the needs that are beyond the picket fence that surrounds your life. Ask Him to bring people like Desiree into your life so that you can show others that He loves us to much to leave us where we are today.
It is written in Matthew 28:18 "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Yes, Lord!!!
Amen and Amen
bo
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2 comments:
Hi! Thanks for the encouragement! I especially like the part that says that God wants us to reach out to people-even right in our communities. I think sometimes what we think are the little things of obedience, God see's as big things -like reaching out to a neighbor.
Greetings from Liberia and the Africa Mercy! We look forward to welcoming Desiree and are so glad that she has encouragers like you out there! God wants us to reach out to all people near and far and show His love and care for them. Thanks for lifting up Desiree to Him in prayer and we'll be here for her as she settles in on the ship. May God bless you abundantly as you serve others in your Community and give Him the Glory!
God's blessings,
Denise and Rob Miller
Mercy Ships, M/V Africa Mercy
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