It started with a story called Getting to Gold by Heather Bradley. My teammate, Kayla, read this to us during team time. I’m laying on the couch, sobbing the entire time she’s reading this beautiful story. The plot was familiar to me but the image of God’s love for us poured into my whole being as each word was read. I realized it had been a while since I sat and thought of the abounding grace and mercy God spoke into existence since the beginning of time. Some days it feels like my mess-ups and failures are consuming the thoughts in my mind. Some days I read my bible and the words escape my grasp no matter how hard I try to hold onto them. Some times my efforts are just not enough. But God..
God knew from the start that this life wasn’t meant to be done alone. He’s always wanted to have His hand in it. But God gives us an option every day/every moment to choose Him. Every moment He extends His love to us and looks at us with awe. We can love Him because He first loved us. No love is greater and no love is stronger than the love from our perfect Father. When I was student teaching, each day I entered the classroom, my students were excited to see me. Everyday they offered me smiles, hugs, laughter, and love. This representation of love is only a fraction of how much the Father loves us. This relationship we’re offered is incredible and honestly doesn’t make much sense.
Our sin separated us from the Father but He found favor in us despite our rebellion. He looks at us and still thinks we’re worth it. So much so that He sent His only son to die on the cross so we could spend eternity with Him. He covers our sinful stains with His blood. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to be reconciled with the Father. As a Christian, I know this truth but there are seasons I don’t actually reflect on the meaning of it all and I fall into complacency. Everyday I have the opportunity to grow in glorifying God in new and unique ways but some days I miss it. I don’t take enough time to be still and be in the presence of my wonderful loving Father.
In Togo, we’ve been asked to do teachings at a Bible school. I’ve had the privilege of teaching three classes so far. I’ve taught on Being Led by the Spirit, Walking in the Spirit, and Obedience. After each time I taught, I felt like I needed the lesson just as much as those I was teaching. The Lord has called me out of complacency. This can still happen on the race?? Absolutely! The Lord has something new to teach me every day but I can still miss it. I can lose the desire to dive into the word or to see Him in different ways. Like I told the bible school students, every day I have the option to choose the Spirit or to choose my flesh. I’ve been encouraged through this short story my teammate read, to seek God daily and ask how He wants to grow me.. so stay tuned folks.
Love,
Anna 🙂
