“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
He has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalms 145:8-9
I remember when I first read this scripture and had a knee-jerk reaction to it. It was January and it was snowing hard (in Pennsylvania). I had just returned from Myanmar after serving with orphans who barely eat two meals a day.
Really, God, do You really have compassion on all You have made.
“… The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord upholds all those who fall
And lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
And you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
And satisfy the desires of every living thing.”
Psalms 145:13b-16
God, what about the kids starving in Africa? What about the kids who don’t make it to the orphanage in Myanmar?
And then it hit me. A knee-jerk, this time to my stomach. Because it is Your people’s responsibility. All around us are these incredible opportunities to partner with God, give glory to His name, serve the poor, encourage the downtrodden and bring His kingdom to earth.
This month, during our team time (a devotional time every morning, each of us takes a day to lead), Allan drew our attention to the book of Matthew and to the amazing gift God was giving us this month.
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matthew 6:28-32
We are here as part of God’s answer to “clothe the grass of the field.” As we chase around the kiddos this month, with their tattered pieces of clothing, exclaiming “get dressed for school! Get your pajamas on!” and we wrestle the toddlers into their underwear – I am humbled that God has placed us here to dress the forgotten kids of society – the grass of the field, to dig holes for a soccer field, to trust that the little investment of time He will take and multiply in their lives. I’m humbled that behind each of us Racers there is an army of people operating in their giftings as prayer warriors, encouragers and givers who have answered God’s call and invitation to give food at the proper time, to uphold those who have fallen and to satisfy the desires of every living thing – all empowered by the Spirit. This is the body of Christ at work.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
May we continue to seek Him first and be willing and open to respond to how He calls us.
