The past week has been an amazing transformational time with the Lord. Marvelous men of God have been pouring into us with Truth and equipping us with the tools we need to go into the nations with authority and love. Our mornings and evenings have been filled with these teachings and in the afternoon we were able to seek the Lord with where He wanted to send us each day.
We started prayer walking through the streets of Palenque, lifting up the community to God and preparing the foundations of our ministry here by covering everything in prayer. Walking the streets is a wonderful opportunity to soak in the culture and really be able to observe the locals in their everyday lives.
The streets are filled with lively vendors selling fruit, candy, tacos and more. Small tiendas (shops) fill the buildings with bold promises of much needed clothes and knick-knacks. Bright colors jump out from the purses, shoes, clothes and even food in striking patterns and tempting flavors.
People fill the streets and shops, busily going about their everyday life, but in a much more relaxed pace than in the United States. Shop keepers stand at the door talking with other shop keepers or some just sit in chairs watching life unfold. Young children run around the sidewalks, jumping in and out of shops while their parents talk to someone they met along the street.
I think we could all learn a little from the Mexican pace of life. When was the last time you just sat and let the beauty of life soak in your eyes? Or stop and talk with someone on the street without rushing off to your next appointment or activity? There always seems to be one more thing that has to get done today and we become so busy living life that we miss it altogether.
When Jesus said “ I have come that you may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10) I don’t think his image of a full life would resemble the kind many of us live today. Jesus promises a life full of joy (John15:11), though not free from suffering, we can still be content in any situation because all God wants to do is love us. How amazing is that concept? The Creator of the universe wanted to fully express His love, so He created you!
I want to live my life in response to that Truth. I want to love others out of the love that Christ pours into me everyday. I want to stop and talk with someone on the street even when I feel I don’t really have the time and maybe God will use me to show them His love. That really is the point of this life we’ve been given, isn’t it? To love God, love people and take claim of the abundant life He promises.
