over and over i’ve read the passage in 1 John that says that perfect love casts out all fear. i believe it. but fear is so crippling.
there is a man named Alfred in Guachupita. he murdered a man about five years ago, and laid his body in the middle of the village of our home church, as a testimony that the people should fear him. his message got through.
saturday, our team had a run in with Alfred. at about noon, his wife ran out of her house with a blood curdling scream. “he’s trying to kill me. he’s beating me. someone help.” were her cries in spanish. what is the right response in that situation? do we intervene, putting the church families at risk as soon as we leave? do we intervene and risk his wife receiving more wrath later? as he threw rocks at her, rocks the size of a basketball, we sat close and prayed. we sat close and showed our disapproval. it stopped him for the time being. but no one in the town would intervene because of fear.
our hearts were ruined. he stopped, but we wondered what more we could have done.
i believe that God burdens the hearts he calls.
i believe wisdom is gained through much sorrow.
that night, God allowed us to play with Alfred’s children and love them. God is teaching me that he is drawing children to himself, and will lead the world through them. from 11 and 12 year old worship leaders to children embracing the love of God to transform a family and turn it from deep sin.
i spent some time in Isaiah 43 today. Verse nine made me ask the question, what is God dreaming? is there any end to the dreams of our God…especially in relation to my own life? If i can start to see the imagination and creativity of a God with limitless creativity, and allow him to awaken a dangerous and reckless obedience…i guess i know that God clarifies in the midst of obedience, not beforehand.
Right now, Alfred looks a lot like the before picture of a man we know as Paul. How could God be working…how could he use foolish and dangerous obedience?
———————————
a couple of good words up to this point.
1. i was reminded of my name the other day. david means beloved of God. i’m called to be a man who receives much love from God, not for my glory, but for God’s glory and the good of others. but in that same breath, King David was a man of worship and of war. i see both of those in myself. i need to make sure that i love the light, not just the fight…(but i’m honored to be on the battlefield for the name and the glory of my God)
2. orioles hand is having more movement than in the past. it’s not drastically and miraculously healed, but he’s been working and seeing a bit more movement, day by day. Alexander’s eye is still rough. he had another surgery today, and we hope to see some great advances in his vision in the time we’re here.
3. continue to pray for meekness on my behalf. i love and miss you all. thanks for reading and being partners with me this year.
