Ever since I had to choose a major in college I have struggled with figuring out which takes precedence; 1) international development, that is practically feeding the poor, clothing the naked, giving access to clean water,to basic education and health care or 2) the gospel,the saving knowledge of Jesus and His kingdom. It is important that missions include both aspects: practically feeding the hungry AND bringing them to Jesus who is is the bread of life. That is until our day off in Swaziland when I finally understood where I stood.
I felt convicted that I had just left the mountain for the day and came back with a full belly and more stuff then I actually needed. I looked at my neighbors houses, their lack of material possessions, their over all lack…I started to feel sorry for the "have nots" in light of my obvious "have."
I cannot save anyone. I could work my heart out feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, educating the populous, but at the end of the day, if they don't profess Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that He has risen from the dead, they will still suffer in eternity separated from Him forever. I repeat, I cannot save anyone, but I know the One who can. If I am not living my life pointing to Him, I have really wasted the time that I have been given.
I pray for my heart to break for things that break Christ's heart. Am I really ready to go and do what breaks His heart?
Matthew 18: 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
This is Christ's heart…that no one should perish and this should be my priority.
