Morocco came and went pretty fast. While there, we had the privilege to meet a lot of people and slowly build relationships over the course of the month. We were able to share the love of a God who doesn’t ask you to earn His love, but to receive it with no strings attached. Out of receiving we can then live from the overflow.
A lot of the month was sickness, tiredness, and physical symptoms for much of the squad. The month required choosing to fight the symptoms and live in the strength of the Lord, not our own. A few times I would be trying to get a nap in, and a soft voice would come through the barred windows calling my name to come play, or there would be a knock at the door at any random hour of the day, or there would be late nights, early mornings, motion sickness bus rides, and long days- but there was always the choice to check out or stay invested. During these times I had an internal battle of what I would choose, and many times God was waiting for me to ask Him for His strength. And although I didn’t always succeed in choosing to invest even when I should have, when it really mattered He gave me that extra nudge to press in.
The story of John the Baptist’s death and Jesus’ moments afterwards stood out to me in relation to this, as Jesus always has the perfect response to any situation.
1. Immediately after hearing the news of John’s death, Jesus left in a boat to a remote village to be alone. (14: 13)
2. But the crowds heard about where he was headed so they follow him. And they do so on foot. ( 14:13 ) So Jesus has compassion on them and healed their sick. ( 14: 14)
3. By now, it’s getting late and the people need food so a disciple suggests to send them home. But Jesus responds, “That isn’t necessary- you feed them.” ( 14: 15-16 )
So they gather what they have, which is five loaves of bread and two fish, and it multiples miraculously to feed the 5,000 people.
4. Now that everyone is fed and content, Jesus tells the disciples to cross the lake, while He sends people home.
5. Jesus is now by himself, and goes to a hill to pray. ( 14:23)
6. Then at 3am Jesus is needed and does another miracle. Not a half way job of rescuing them, but casually walks on the water.
So many inconveniences in my mind are not inconveniences to Jesus. This whole story Jesus had his heart set on the people. First he loses His best friend, then instead of grieving, He heals the sick, feeds 5,000 people, sends everyone home, prays on a hill till needed to walk out on the water at 3am, and throughout He isn’t bothered. My audacious prayer is to have this kind of character. Where it’s no longer a battle in my mind of myself or others, but an automatic decision and overflow of compassion that trumps any other feeling.
A lesson I’ve been learning is that if you have options, either one can change the trajectory of your day or even the month, so choose wisely and seek His wisdom! He will always help us choose the better option- which sometimes may be to get rest for obvious health reasons, and other times might look like pressing in to the strength that He gives abundantly.
Keep praying for Morocco! God has got some awesome things He is doing!
