One of my favorite places to be in Ecuador is on the steps at the top of the hill behind our house overlooking the city. It’s my place to read, to worship, to think, to listen, to reflect, and, sometimes when I need it, to cry. The best time to be there is at night when everyone is in the kitchen or the family room and you feel like you’re by yourself for the first time in 5 months. A million lights coming from the restlessness of Quito. The coolness of the air. Space to breath. Peace and clarity. It’s my favorite place to be.
The Lord shows me the love He has for his kids when I sit up here. All I can see when I look at the city lights is people. People who don’t know Jesus. People who know the church but not His love. People who have been rejected by Christians, so they reject Him. People who don’t know His grace and His mercy. People who are drowning in their own sin and don’t know that a life raft is right beside them waiting to be used. People who think that worldly things will satisfy them. People who don’t know that an eternity in hell is waiting for them on the other side. My heart aches when I look at the city lights. My stomach hurts to think about all the people missing out on the unashamed, unconditional, extravagant love their Father has for them.
God has set a fire in my heart for his people. Sometimes I will look at someone and He will show me how He sees them. Millions of people in Quito and the Lord not only knows every single one by name, but he knows how many hairs are on their head. He knows what makes them laugh and what breaks their heart. He knows every struggle they have ever been through. He knows every thought and every move. He knows their favorite meal their mom makes for them, and He knows every desire in their heart. He knows every single sin and he still loves them more than we could ever imagine loving someone. I imagine when He looks at the earth, his heart cries and His stomach aches for his lost children.
He doesn’t care where you’re at. He doesn’t care what you’ve done. He doesn’t want you to follow all these rules and abide by certain standards. He just wants your heart. He just wants to be close to you. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve run or how hard you’ve tried to push Him away. He’s standing right there with His arms wide open. He’s standing right there to pull you up from whatever you’re drowning in. He’s standing right there. He has been the whole time.
I know what it’s like to walk in the love of Jesus. I know that I can’t imagine walking through life without it. I know that I did absolutely nothing to deserve it. And I know that you don’t have to do anything either. I know that it’s yours if you want it. I know that He’s right there waiting to give it to you.
These are the words the Lord gave me while looking at the city lights.
Julia
