We spent last week in a new village called Ubud. It is a place frequently visited by travelers and it was constantly recommend to us as a place to go to experience the culture. So we headed out with just our daypacks and started every day with listening prayer. Most days we went out 2×2 and shared with whoever God placed in our paths. One of the days I was paired up with Liz and we walked along the main street going into stores that were highlighted to us and we ended up in a clothing store where two women were working. We were waiting to be acknowledged by them and as we waited we saw a sign for these love bracelets. The sign said take a picture of yourself or someone else wearing the bracelet and share the greatest love story you know.
I looked at Liz and said, it just so happens we know the greatest love story ever and the bracelets were white, black, and red!!! Many of the Balinese people where a simple bracelet that is white, black, and red and has been a tool in sharing the good news! So after a few minutes the ladies acknowledged us and we asked about the bracelet. They showed them to us and told us about the project. We said we happen to know a pretty amazing love story, and it even goes along with the colors of the bracelet, would you like to hear it? They said yes.
We started with the white, this represents God and how He is perfect, and Holy, and Pure. Then the black represents us as humans and our sins and our mistakes and how that separated us from God and there was no way to bring us back to God. BUT because God loved us so much He sent His son Jesus to be a sacrifice and shed His blood for us. Through that bridge He gives us forgiveness of our sins and provides a way for us to get back with God! All we have to do is confess our sins and accept the free gift. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
One of the women said I have seen that movie (The passion of the Christ) twice but it makes me sad and I don’t understand why He would sacrifice himself for us?! I looked at her and said because He loves you that much!!! He loves you so much that He sent two people halfway around the world to tell you that He loves you!!! We asked if we could pray for her and she agreed. She will remain in my prayers as God continues to pursue her in big ways!!!
Liz and I ended our time in a cafe enjoying some non instant coffee (it’s a big deal these days). We recapped the day and she shared about a time she shared the good news with a young woman on her trip and at the end the woman said, “I don’t understand, if it’s such good news, why has no one ever told me before?!” I literally began to cry right there in the cafe. She was so right!!! This girl hearing it for the first time got it better than most. Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
