97 DAYS!!! DOUBLE DIGITS!!!
In 97 days, I begin training camp for my World Race semesters trip. When I first applied and was accepted to this trip, I asked God to use this time beforehand to shape me and equip me for the 2 months of missionary life I am heading into.
Initially, I thought this meant expanding my knowledge of The Bible, especially the Gospel and new testament as a whole. What this has actually looked like is God teaching me to love like Jesus, which He has shown me is way more important than being able to recite tons of scripture on demand (don’t get me wrong, I still want to have that skill though).
Last night I was reading from Luke, and there was one parable I read that I literally felt God speak deep into my soul. In Luke 15, there is a parable that tells the story of a man with two sons. One of the sons takes his father’s assets and uses them to live a sinful life; however, he abuses all of his father’s assets until they are completely gone and he has nothing. When he finally gets to the point where he is starving, he decides to go back to his father to beg for something equivalent to what his father would give the servants. On his way back home, his father sees him and meets him where he is. His father then embraces him with a hug and a kiss and rejoices at the return of his son. He takes him home and they have a celebration.
Even though this father’s son betrayed him, his father still loved him. Even though this son waited until he had absolutely nothing and was starving to go back home, his father still embraced him AND celebrated his son’s return.
I have heard this parable taught in church many times from many different preachers. While the sermons have always been different, the message has always been the same. God is the father in this parable, and we are the son. No matter how many times we turn our back on God, He is always there to embrace us when we finally come back home to Him. No matter how far away we are from Him, HE WILL MEET US THERE!
THIS IS WHAT THE LOVE OF JESUS LOOKS LIKE!!!!!
Even though last night was not my first time reading this parable, it was the first time I was actually able to grasp the magnitude of God’s love in it. I could clearly see the love Jesus portrayed in this parable, and I felt Him reminding me of this love last night.
This is important to what God is teaching me in preparation for my mission trip, because like I mentioned above, this season of my life is one where God is teaching me to love like Jesus. In order for me to love like Jesus, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE LOVE OF JESUS!
P.S. I am $832.50 away from being 25% funded for my trip! I need to meet this deadline by February 28th. That is basically in a week. If you feel led to donate any amount to help me share the love of Jesus in Swaziland and South Africa, you can donate directly through my blog or venmo me @Sarahbeth-wrsemesters. All donations go directly to my trip and are so appreciated!
