I wrote a blog in month one about how I wasn’t ready for God to truly break my heart for what breaks His. It was after a really difficult night of ministry to the homeless. It wasn’t our first time out there but for some reason, it just hit me really hard that night.
And since that night, I’ve experienced a lot on the race but nothing quite like that… Until now, month 9, in Ukraine.
This time, my heart wasn’t broken by seeing homeless people in the pouring rain. It was broken by the incredible hearts and kindness of all the people we have met here in Ukraine. They’ve mastered the art of giving, not out of abundance, but out of a genuine desire to see the needs of others met- even at their own expense.
When we arrived in Ukraine, church members literally gave us the coats off their backs because they knew we didn’t have warm clothing. They didn’t even think about their own needs- they simply saw ours and gave what they had.
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44
We came here to serve yet we have been served so well. These incredible people have taught me more about selflessness and self-sacrifice in these two weeks than I’ve learned in my entire life.
Giving out of abundance is easy. It isn’t bad to give when you have plenty but there is hardly a sacrifice in doing so. While it can be a huge blessing in someone else’s life, it is almost inconsequential for the person doing the giving. It is more of a nice thing to do rather than a sacrifice. The people we have been blessed to work with this month will give everything they have and all of themselves to serve others simply because they want to love people like Jesus.
What incredible faith they must have in the provision of our sweet Lord. What wonderful testimonies they must have to the faithfulness of the Lord.
And you know what? They do have incredible stories. I’ve heard stories that break my heart, stories of real pain and suffering, stories of broken homes and families, stories of redemption and healing, stories of the unending love of Jesus. These stories are not mine to tell but they have changed my life.
These people are normal people. They have needs, wants, and desires. They have families, jobs, and lives. But what makes them different is that they live knowing that the Lord is with them and will provide. Because of their great faith, there is no fear in giving so much of themselves to serve others.
They have hard circumstances in their lives but you would never know it because every day they choose joy. In every situations, they find a way to be joyful. They are thankful for the blessings the Lord has given them and constantly look for ways to bless other people.
All I want is to be able to take away all of the hard things that these people have to experience but I can’t- and that is why my heart is broken.
But, these people are truly living lives of abundance. Not abundance in an earthly sense but lives that are full of love and joy- the things that matter most.
In John 10:10, Jesus says “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” My family in Christ here in Ukraine embraces this verse. And when I want to fix everything or wish I could do more, the Lord reminds me that He is the one who can “fix” everything and He did. He sent us Jesus.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
I want to live an abundant life that is not overflowing with wealth or possessions but with love. Jesus gave every bit of himself for me so that I could show His love to others. Thank you Ukraine for teaching me how to truly love, and give, like Jesus.
