That’s what the Lord keeps speaking to me as we do ministry this month in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the second biggest city in the country.
And this month is a little different because its “Manistry” month, meaning all the men are together working on some goat farm in southern Thailand and so the three teams that had men on them have been joined together for the month. So myself and another amazing woman of God, Taryn, are leading our two teams of women plus another one (11 women total including the two of us). Its been incredible so far being with these women, but thats for another blog (hopefully I’ll remember to write it).
Anyways, back to ministry. We’re working with a YWAM ministry called Love in Action, that reaches out to the women and ladyboys working in the bars and to the kids living in the slums. Its incredible. I’m in love with this ministry. And the Lord is teaching me so much in reaching out and loving these men, women, and children.
Like the importance of doing small things with great love, as Mother Teresa often talked about.
Because working in this ministry requires you to surrender everything- expectations, agendas, perceptions- and cling only to His love. For in His love there is hope. There is freedom. There is joy and peace, even when nights are rough and ministry is discouraging. But its when we are rooted in His love, His unfailing, unconditional, extravagant love, that we can let love flow from our hearts freely and without restraint, regardless of whats happening around us. Abiding in His love enables us to love others as He loves us. Recklessly. Outrageously. In the simple and in the extraordinary. Yet we so often overlook the small opportunities, but sometimes its the small, simple acts of love that change people the most. We just have to be faithful and obedient to love however He calls us, even if its in ways we’re not used to or dont entirely understand. Because love cant be put in a box, just as God cant be put in a box. So who am I to limit what love looks like to my narrow-minded perceptions or its power to change and transform peoples’ lives? Who am I to think one act of love is more significant than another based solely on the physical results when our God, who is Love, is notorious for working in astounding ways unseen?
He doesnt ask us to analyze love. He simply calls us to love. And love. And love. And love some more. And the possibilities are endless.
All we have to do is reach out in faith, trusting that love never fails. It didnt fail us on the cross 2,000 years ago and it sure as heck wont fail us now.
So my friends, love recklessly, as He so recklessly loves you.
This is a video of the ministry we’re working with this month!
