We made it Swaziland!
I can’t believe a month has flown by already! So far, I’m having the time of my life.
Now we’re in Swaziland. I couldn’t wait for this month because this was the country I was most looking forward to. I read about the country and fell in love. What saddened me about this nation was that they are projecting that it will be wiped out by 2050 due to the HIV epidemic. It has left countless children as orphans, without parents and without a place to really call home.
If you know me, you know that I absolutely love children. The thought of them being abandoned and helpless broke my heart. I couldn’t wait to visit Swaziland because I wanted to be a part of the children’s ministry here.
So, you may be wondering why I chose the title for this blog. It’s the word ubabalo which means grace of God. Today we met with some of the ministry departments at the Adventures in Missions office here in Swaziland. We got to shake hands with some of the men and women who have worked fervently to disciple and mentor Swazi children, to build them and grow them into the men and women God called them to be. Today, I was inspired by a ministry department leader by the name of Lindo (He told us it means “beautiful” in Spanish). He works with sports ministry as a soccer coach. Lindo is very charismatic, passionate about ministry, and hilarious. We couldn’t stop laughing the entire time we were in the office. We could tell he loved what he did because he spoke with such vigor and compassion about his position. Lindo told us that through sports he is able to minister to young boys about Jesus. He spoke about this word Ubabalo. He said in an effort to teach the children how to play, the most important thing he teaches them is God’s grace. He told us that when someone loses or doesn’t always perform to the best of their ability, he doesn’t discourage them but reminds them of that God offers his grace to us and says “it’s ok, to try again.”
TRY AGAIN.
(NOTE: Dropping several Bible verses below, so be prepared)
Isn’t that what the grace of God is? When we mess up, God doesn’t punish us. The Bible says that God does not hold our sins against us (Psalm 103: 10). Also, those who are in Christ (followers of Jesus) are not condemned (Romans 8:1). Why? Because Jesus already died for us! Jesus died for every sin we’ve ever committed. His life was a perfect sacrifice that appeased God’s wrath, and we can now have a relationship with him. God does not see us wretched sinners anymore but as his children. God is delighted when we enter into relationship with him.
God isn’t in heaven ready to smite us for every bad move we make. Sorry, but that’s just not who he who is! The Bible says he longs to lavish his love on us because …well… HE LOVES US (Ephesians 1:8). It’s that simple. When Lindo spoke about how he loves on the guys on the team, it encouraged me and reminded that our God sees our weaknesses and our mistakes, BUT loves us anyway. I love this verse in Hebrews that reads:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
Our Lord identifies with our weaknesses, meaning: HE GETS IT.
It doesn’t mean we are written off because of the things we fail at, it means he just wants us to repent (turn back around), go back and follow his lead again. It’s hard for me to imagine Jesus experiencing the same temptations and struggles we have. This is something that I am still trying to grasp as well, so you’re not alone if you feel the same way.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN FEELING LIKE YOU’VE FALLEN FROM GRACE.
I want you to know you are never too far away from returning back to the loving arms of the Father. He still has his arms open wide for you to run into!
Lindo mentioned something else that really stuck with me. He began to describe how to hit a soccer ball with your head. “When you hit the ball with your head, I always tell them to keep their eyes open when the ball comes. The only reason why you would close your eyes when the ball is coming is if you fear it will hit you. You can’t fear that it will hit you. You have to have courage. When you open your eyes you can see the ball and adjust your body to hit it.” Lindo made a reference to the story of David and Goliath. David, small and the most unqualified person to defeat a giant, killed one with a sling shot! While he spoke, I couldn’t help but picture a person hitting a soccer ball with their head. Yeah, if they were to close their eyes they would probably get hit, it would probably hurt, and most likely you wouldn’t have the slightest chance of scoring or making a big play. You have to open your eyes, adjust and then hit the ball with force. With courage, like Lindo would recommend.
How many times in our life, do we close our eyes to the things that come at us? How many times do we give into the fear that the very thing coming at us (sickness, financial struggle, relationship problems, a ministry God has called us to) might hurt a lot? So many of us stop at the opportunity of hitting these things right back, for fear that it will hurt a lot more than we expect.
I’m here to tell you, fear is not of God. I know easier said than done but’s actually biblical. I am still learning to drown out the voice of fear. DON’T LISTEN TO IT. I am here to encourage you to do the same.
Two things I want you all to take away from this blog is:
- God loves you and longs to be gracious to you
- God has not given you a spirit of fear. YOU CAN BE BOLD IN CHRIST BECAUSE HE ULTIMATELY IS YOUR DEFENSE.
God has an infinite amount of grace for us. We don’t have to fear him or fear what’s to come. Isn’t that so sweet?
Be encouraged everyone!
(P.S. This blog was written since the first week we arrived in Swaziland. Wifi is very hard to come by here in Africa, so I apologize for all the last posts. We have finished month 2 and are heading to Madagascar for month 3. Please continue to keep me and my team in your prayers)
