I once read a post on Instagram that asked, if you could be any age in heaven, what would it be? Sixteen. Yes, I remember thinking 16! I could think of so many reasons for this; I was close to Jesus, I loved the relationship I had with Him at that age, I had dreams, goals and so much passion for achieving the plans I had felt Him set out in my life. There was desires I had felt He laid in my heart that were going to be completed in due time. There was this willingness to not quit, to not get easily discouraged and to persevere until I achieve all these dreams set in my heart. Would you think I am crazy if I told you I still think God wants just those same dreams to be present in my life, again?
Going to Agape Home reminded me of this sixteen-year-old girl I once knew. I met a woman that reminded me of my goals and dreams. She spoke so fiercely that she couldn’t contain the joy inside. Her home houses 104 orphan children that are living with AIDS/HIV, she teaches them about Jesus, tells them to live with purpose and shows them Agape Love. Her name was Avis! I had lost that sixteen-year-old girl in me but I have gained her back after Thailand.
The first day we arrived to Agape Home we were set up to have orientation with our host. Avis, the director of the orphanage, showed us a video and then gave a speech. She had me in TEARS! She has been running this organization since the beginning. The children are provided with medicine, meals, clothes and education. Some of the staff has been working with Avis for over 20 years and she has adopted 2 of the children. She told us how some days she would be running a funeral, arranging an adoption pick up and setting up a birthday all in the same day. It sounded so exhausting emotionally but if you met this woman you wouldn’t notice it at ALL!! Her laughter, her playfulness, her attitude all stems from Jesus. Every morning we had devotion and sometimes she would end it with encouraging speeches telling the children not to give up! She reminded them that they had purpose. One story we heard from Avis was how one of the kids would cut herself because she hated that she had “venom” as her blood. So on, she would tell us about how she started the organizations, the things she’s struggled with and the things her eyes have seen. I knew her strength could only come from God.
I was also reminded that so many times I can relate to Esau. My willingness to give up my promises are exchanged for the mediocre norm. I gave my testimony one day during devotions and told the children how my life had become a checklist. I knew what I wanted to do, I knew what was next in life and yet I wasn’t satisfied. I was willing to let Jesus into my life but I had to be willing to give up that life. The life that promises happiness if you follow the formula. Truth is life is not meant to be lived this way. Life is meant to be lived with Jesus. Living with Jesus is UNPERDICTABLE. I am currently outside of my comfort zone. Every day I am placed in positons that put me out of my comfort zone. Yet, I am the happiest I could EVER be. I don’t need to have the white picket fence, the education or the money that I thought I needed. Don’t get me wrong, those are all good things, but they don’t bring true joy. True JOY comes from Jesus. I might get these things along the way but I am content if I don’t because I have found out that those things won’t satisfy my life. Joy comes from aligning to His will and finding your purpose. I am currently living out one of my purposes. The Bible reminds me how we are like the morning sun; shinning brighter every day (Proverbs 4:18). I believe this life is meant to be one CRAZY adventure with Jesus. I no longer want to trade my promises for a bowl of nothing.
Jesus reminded me that age is just a number. Avis had the energy of a child! She was running around at all times doing something. It was incredible to see! All was done with passion and love. I was reminded that with Jesus I can do anything. His purpose and His plan can be fulfilled as long as there is breath in my lungs. All I have to do is keep my eyes on Jesus. He’s been the only constant in my life. People change, things change, everything is in constant motion but He remains the same. Thank you Jesus for letting me run into Avis during my race. Thank you for reminding me that life is too short to live without purpose. God doesn’t call us to have this type of life. This make take some faith but we just need a bit of it. Anything is possible with God! I have to be willing to want more from life. I need to dream BIG! My dreams don’t scare God but they should scare me. I serve a BIG God. My God can do exceedingly and more than I could ever ask for. Keep renewing my spirit, Jesus. Keep making me 16, again!
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”Phil. 4:3
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16
Read about Esau Genesis 25:19-34
“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.” Hebrews 12:12-17
“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:26
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19
“I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
