I'm sitting in my room trying desperately to check off all the things on my ridiculous to do list before we go (and yes I added things I completed just so I could have the satisfaction of checking them off). As I am trying to complete defensive driving, pack, etc. I find my mind wandering. What exactly are we going to do when we get there? How is this or that going to work? What if I have to kill a chicken? What if I can't handle the "squatty potty" toilet at church? My mind is filled with what if's and why's. I think these questions so often characterize our lives. God says "Go!" and we are held captive by the what if's and why's of going instead of the reason He said "Go!" in the first place. I've had many reactions as I've told people I'm going to Africa for the summer. They have ranged from excitement and anticipation of what God is doing, to looks and sometimes even statements of "you are doing what!?" "is that safe?" "why would you do that?"
"Why would you do that?" - It is a very good question. Let me try to explain...
The Bible says in Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them (the disciples that is) and said, ' All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
The Bible also says in James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
So first we go because He said to. Because as believers we are called to be obedient to what He says in His word, and because I truly believe that he meant what He said. He didn't say stay and send others, or think about others, or even be a good person. He said Go! (While this can mean across the street or across the world the intention is the same.) He didn't say to be sympathetic to widows and orphans or to feel bad for them. He said to look after them. To me that means you have to physically be there, to see their suffering with your own eyes, to hear their stories with your own ears, to physically be the hands and feet of Christ- who is Love!
Is it safe? Maybe not..but the God of Heaven who has all authority in Heaven and on Earth goes with us. He will be with us and as it says in Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?" And besides that, what in life is really truly safe, and worth doing? Not many things. I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize I missed out on doing something that truly mattered just because there was not an absolute guarantee of safety.
Secondly, we go for the Joy set before us. Hebrews 12:1-3 says " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Jesus endured the cross for us despite the pain and suffering for the Joy set before Him. Knowing that his actions would bring about the joy of salvation for all who believe and call upon his name.
So even though it may not be easy, comfortable or "fun" we go because going provides much joy in what He will do and accomplish in and through us, that we would miss out on had we stayed home.
At Metro Live Ben Stuart said "Your soul was created to be thrilled in joining with Him to accomplish His purposes to save. His mission is a mission of rescue." you can listen to the whole message (which I highly recommend) at http://metrolive.org/Media/ week 2 June 7th When was the last time you did something that truly thrilled you?
There is no greater joy in life that being a part of what He is doing!
Lastly we go, because how could we not?
According to UNICEF (www.unicef.org)
"Why would you do that?" - It is a very good question. Let me try to explain...
The Bible says in Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them (the disciples that is) and said, ' All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
The Bible also says in James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
So first we go because He said to. Because as believers we are called to be obedient to what He says in His word, and because I truly believe that he meant what He said. He didn't say stay and send others, or think about others, or even be a good person. He said Go! (While this can mean across the street or across the world the intention is the same.) He didn't say to be sympathetic to widows and orphans or to feel bad for them. He said to look after them. To me that means you have to physically be there, to see their suffering with your own eyes, to hear their stories with your own ears, to physically be the hands and feet of Christ- who is Love!
Is it safe? Maybe not..but the God of Heaven who has all authority in Heaven and on Earth goes with us. He will be with us and as it says in Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?" And besides that, what in life is really truly safe, and worth doing? Not many things. I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize I missed out on doing something that truly mattered just because there was not an absolute guarantee of safety.
Secondly, we go for the Joy set before us. Hebrews 12:1-3 says " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Jesus endured the cross for us despite the pain and suffering for the Joy set before Him. Knowing that his actions would bring about the joy of salvation for all who believe and call upon his name.
So even though it may not be easy, comfortable or "fun" we go because going provides much joy in what He will do and accomplish in and through us, that we would miss out on had we stayed home.
At Metro Live Ben Stuart said "Your soul was created to be thrilled in joining with Him to accomplish His purposes to save. His mission is a mission of rescue." you can listen to the whole message (which I highly recommend) at http://metrolive.org/Media/ week 2 June 7th When was the last time you did something that truly thrilled you?
There is no greater joy in life that being a part of what He is doing!
Lastly we go, because how could we not?
According to UNICEF (www.unicef.org)
- 143 million children have lost one or both parents.
- 158 million children ages 5-14 are engaged in child labor.
- An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year.
- At any given time over 300,000 child soldiers, some as young as 8, are exploited in armed conflicts on over 30 countries around the world. More than 2 million children are estimated to have died as a result of armed conflicts since 1990.
- 2 million children are believed to be exploited through prostitution and pornography.
- 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect and require health and social care.
How can we know, and see, and sit back and do nothing?
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
"The problem with the world today is not lost people acting lost, but found people not acting found." Ben Stuart
So we choose to be Hope and to be Love to these sweet children God has given us the opportunity to spend our summer with.
So we choose to be Hope and to be Love to these sweet children God has given us the opportunity to spend our summer with.
I hope that answers the question of why. I find that often my brain is a lot slower than my mouth and when people ask I unfortunately don't have the words to explain. I have found that often I can express what I am thinking much better in writing. So I hope as we experience this journey, you will join us by reading and praying.
Stay tuned for the what...
In Christ,
Jenny
Jenny, I am so proud of you and for your obedience to our Lord!! I love how you pursue goodness. It is so encouraging to me. I will be praying for you, friend!
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