Some Thoughts

I have been struck by a couple of things. I have found that I am still (not surprisingly) processing my summer in Diosd. God taught, is teaching, and will teach (felt like I was back in Latin class with that one!) me so much because of how He used that experience to draw me closer and deeper to Him. One major thing that I have been struck with happens every time I walk down the street. There are a lot of "beggers" here. People literally sit in doorways, holding out a cup. They are dirty and hopeless. And every time I walk by, my heart breaks, because I have the Truth that will set them free, but I don't know how to give it to them. I know what can break the bond of their hopelessness - not that suddenly they will no longer be required to beg on the streets, but that they will be fulfilled and confident in the One who loves them. I pass by these people with their outstretched hands, not knowing what to do except pray. I pray and ask the Lord to open their hearts to Him, that they would know Him and be set free by Him. And this is enough, I know, but a lot of times it doesn't feel like it. I believe that God will give every single person on the planet a chance to know Him (and most certainly many chances, not just one!). I know that even if I don't know the words to share, God has provided another way. At the same time, I want Him to use me. I don't want to spurn those chances to share. Its hard to know when the urge to stand up and proclaim the Gospel and the power of Jesus are what He wants or just me wanting others to know. I do know the importance of relationships - I've always believed that relationships are crucial to sharing the Gospel, and if anything, my summer in Diosd confirmed that. Yet at the same time, there are certainly times when it is appropriate to just tell a stranger the Good News. And its hard, because I don't want to miss those opportunities, and so every time I feel that longing for the people with me on the bus or the strangers I am passing by on the street or the kids in my classes or the people in my workplace to hear and understand the Truth, I pray that they will. That somehow God will make His glorious mercy known to Him. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life" (1 Timothy 1:15-16 - for my thoughts on that go here). I know that my life tells the story. I know that I am the worst of sinners, but that Jesus has shown His limitless patience in me. I know that others can look on me and see Jesus shining through me instead, because I with an unveiled face reflect His glory even as I am being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). I know this is true, and because of that, I can walk or sit or stand and I can pray without ceasing and I can be confident that Jesus hears me, that He always answers prayer, that He loves people more than I can know, that He desires their salvation a whole lot more than I am capable of wanting something. And because of that I have hope and confidence and joy. Because of that, I know that I serve a mighty God who relentlessly persues His beloved children. I know that He does not give up on us, and that even in those moments of uncertainty we can sit and wait because His joy makes us strong. And because of all of this, I can go forward with a smile on my face and a song in my heart because of the Savior I have given my life over to. I know that I no longer live but Christ lives in me; the life in live in my body I live by faith (Gal. 2:20).