“Love or Justice… Which do you think is more important to God?” Erika asked us after having a drawn out conversation.
We had our first adventure day.
Two of the ladies from the church we are working at took us to multiple beaches on the coast of Chile.
It was an amazing day marveling over God’s mind-blowing creation.
The drive was a little over an hour each way, and allowed for a lot of real conversation.
Erika, our driver, asked questions. A lot of them. Questions about abortion and premarital sex. Questions about “marking our bodies” with tattoos. Questions about how we can be “normal young people,” but be willing to give up everything to serve the Lord.
“What do you think.. love or justice…?”
I stared out the window at the massive mountains.
Everyone was quiet.
“Love, of course.” I said finally.
Love is everything. Justice is a part of love.
“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
If there is something that I have learned in the past few years, it is that God meets us where we are at with an overflowing heart of love and grace.
But He gives us instruction and justice because He wants to give us the most fulfilling life that we were created for. He is calling us to something higher. Something greater. Because He loves us.
Walking with the Lord has opened my eyes to the sweet, sweet things He has in store for me – the life of abundance that He has called each one of us to.
“The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11
You don’t have to be perfect when you come to Him, because He’ll meet you where you’re at.
His grace is sufficient.
And in the process of watering that relationship with Him, He will reveal all of the good things that He has in store if you follow Him: the freedom from bondage, and the unspeakable JOY that there is in His Love.
Maybe it was just an “adventure day,” but having that real conversation with Erika was an important opportunity for ministry, and I am thankful that she wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions.
Love. Erika already knew it. She just wanted to know that we did too.
