Another lesson I have been learning
about love is that love not just a feeling, it is a choice, and love
by choice is the kind of love that God calls us to. Love by choice
goes beyond what a person does or does not do to or for you, what
benefit you can gain from having a relationship with a particular
person, etc. It is a commitment-based love. I mentioned in a recent
blog (“Living Love�) that there are three terms in the Greek for
love: agape, phileo, and eros. I believe love by
choice falls under the category of agape love. (And
providentially, the ministry with which we are working here is called
“Gypsy Agapeâ€�…kinda cool.) One gypsy village here near Viile
Tecii has served as a prime example of God developing this concept in
my life and finding blessing through it.
While I have known that I have a
gifting for working with kids for years, I became frustrated last
month with the inability to verbally communicate with them, and that
frustration has carried over into this month. I have also operated by
the method of sharing the Gospel via action for years, as I also
mentioned in another recent blog (“Rising Up in Ministry�), but
having a desire to talk to people about Christ that I have not had
before and not being able to do so has also been frustrating. We have
limited time with these people and I do not want to just be a “good
person� to them but make sure they understand my heart behind what
I am doing and why I am here: to spread the saving knowledge of the
Gospel of grace through Jesus Christ. One of our first days here, one
of our contacts and hosts here took us to a nearby village. The
village is largely unreached for Christ, which excites me in regards
to ministry. However, the people were suspicious of us due to our
foreign presence as Americans in light of the bad relationship
between Romanians and gypsies, we were not able to talk to the people
there, were unsure of what was being said around us, and while taking
a few pictures and playing hand games with a few of the kids was fun,
it felt rather pointless to me. A few days ago, though, a couple
teammates and I returned to the village with our host contact for the
start of a new church in the village. I once again did not feel like
going to the village, but I felt like I needed to go because, however
frustrating the circumstances may be, going to places like that
village is why I came on the Race. I made a choice to go and love
those people in the name of Christ. Once we got there, the service
was largely in Romanian; therefore, my teammates and I could not
understand most of what was being said. We started making faces with
some of the kids, though, trying not to be disrespectful but to
connect with these youngsters hungry for attention regardless. After
the service, while our host contact was talking with a few of the
adults, we played with the kids for a few minutes. I played a game of
chase and tag with a few of the kids, which was SO much fun in being
able to spend time with the kids, laugh with them, AND run! I believe
this was God’s blessing to me for having made a choice to love,
agape-style. If God wills it and circumstances allow, we will
go back one more time, and this time I’m truly excited about it,
thankful for the opportunity, privilege even, to be a part of
bringing life to these people, serving as a vessel as I am called to
do, then letting the Holy Spirit “do His thing� and change lives.
I love how God has changed my heart and led me to discover that
choosing to love truly brings lasting blessing that is greater than
anything tangible.
And remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.�
— Acts 20:35
