Blog #2 people, mark it on your calendars, I told you this day would come :] Even my fellow racers had a few laughs when I told them I was actually writing another blog. I apologize if it’s too long, but sometimes I can’t help it. Here’s what my Heavenly Father has put on my heart lately…
How does a family of 8 live in a home the size of our walk-in closets? How do kids smile laugh and play when their body is infected with aids? How do people live in such tough circumstances? And all the while having PEACE and JOY? They turn to Jesus Christ. They turn to one another in pure Christian fellowship, longing to grow in the Lord and know Him more, finding their PEACE and JOY in Christ.
Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit.”
Expectations are not a good thing to have on a trip like this, but I did want to come and experience Christians living with only Jesus’s PEACE and JOY. Winnie showed me this. The women working at Tafara, a Christian orphanage ministry, took us on a trip to the neighborhood they live in. One woman, Margaret, went to neighbors searching for bread and butter to have with our tea she eagerly served . Winnie also invited us into her home.
It’s the size of a walk in closet. Her family of 8 (6 kids and husband) live there. She shared food and drink with us. She shared her beautiful children with us. She shared hospitality. But most of all she shared her PEACE and JOY with us that one can only receive from Jesus Christ. By living her life for Christ, she impacted me without even realizing it. She made me realize how little I do live in complete PEACE, JOY and smiles when I also know Jesus Christ.
I hope I never forget the beautiful smile on Winnie’s face when she said these words, “ I am so happy to have you in my home. This is what we are supposed to be doing, fellowship with other Christians and reading God’s word and living with the Lord, this is so good.” Honestly, it humbles and chokes me up every time I have that memory in my mind. It’s a beautiful thing when you let the Lord be lord of your life.
Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit.” My dad always told me growing up “if I got it, you got it” I know you English buffs who read this wont like the word got, but I ain’t not got a better way to explain it :] The point of it is this, my earthly father showed me what my Heavenly Father would later write on my heart and teach me how to live out.
When will you turn to Jesus and only find happiness in him? What’s holding you back? Are you struggling with a disease like aids? Are you poor? Hungry? Dirty? Orphaned? Widowed? Because these people have these struggles in THIS life, but they have Jesus. Just as they are, with Jesus.
$2. Stuart, pastor/founder of the ministry Tafara, says it costs $2 to have a child tested and given a months supply of meds for aids. What do you spend $2 on? Every tank we fill up our blessing of a car with can provide a kid’s meds for a year. $4 isn’t a bag of chips and soda from the gas station, its 2 months of meds.
Where are your $2 going to? Please, fill in the blank . More importantly where is your heart at? Please, fill it with Jesus Christ.
Don’t just be “amazed” at how they live life with “so little”. They have more than any “rich” American who isn’t walking with the Lord. Take note everyone, Jesus doesn’t want your wallet, He wants your heart. To fill it with His love. His love is worth it and the only solution to this world we live in.
Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit.”
One of my favorite verses, probably because I need to constantly remember it and apply it to my life: John 14:27 “PEACE I leave with you; My PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.”
One woman of God named Winnie living in the un-privileged neighborhood known as O.T.S in Sakubva, Zimbabwe knows has this PEACE. Without God we have no PEACE: Isaiah 59:8 “They do not know the way of PEACE, and there is no justice in their tracks; they have made their paths crooked, whoever treads on them does not know PEACE.”
Turn to Jesus Christ. Turn to God’s word. Enjoy it, learn it, live it, love it, He will speak to you through it :] No matter where we are at in this life, troubles, trials, circumstances whatever it is, Jesus Christ’s love is bigger and will shine through. Giving us TRUE PEACE and JOY. …song of the blog : “Light will Shine” by Hillsong United on the Aftermath C.D.
