Sitting on a rooftop in Mae Sot, Thailand I can see both Thailand and the hills of Burma. I take in a breathe of fresh air and visibly rest on the horizon of hope that is entirely in God’s hands.
The lush, green rice fields stretch as far as I can see, colliding into the expansive mountains of both countries. Stories below, there is a misplaced family that has made a home in the adjacent abandoned building.
My eyes capture a little girl, probably around the age of three, who is laying on a red, woven mat amongst the trash and tires. In what could be mistaken as just an array of mess, my eyes cannot move from this sweet toddler.
Intently gazing at her, in mid-prayer, it becomes evident: This is a perfect picture of how the Father loves us. God views us with adoration and watches over us like a child. He loves us no matter the mess we are laying in or where we are in the world; whether that be emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
The image of God with this little girl on both sides of the mat floods my mind. God is with her on good days and on bad days. He is just as and even more captivated with her as I am in that very moment. With my eyes locked, this beautiful child tosses and turns in a dress that is no longer pink.
She is not alone.
She is noticed.
She is beautiful.
She is precious.
She is a daughter.
He adores her.
I watch her as she gets up to walk. She accidentally trips over her feet as she enters the dark abandoned building. I hear her crying loudly as if she has fallen. With no sight of her, this thought dawns on me: Even as she stumbles her way into the dark, He is still with her, and so she gets up and walks.
God will ALWAYS be with her.
He is a lamp unto her feet.
He hears her cries.
He holds her up.
He protects her.
He says, “With me, you’ll never lose your balance.“
Like the little girl, I know God is always with me. I have learned to stand firm this month – in Truth of God’s promises and in His grace for humanity. When we are planted in the fullness of God’s love, He makes living in this broken world joyful. This is one of the many reminders God has given me: “Stand firm, Don’t lose heart, for I am with you.“
“To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” -2 Thessalonians 2:14-17
What a beautiful promise of God’s heart for the world in which I am placed. He has given me eyes to see His love for the people of the nations. This year I have felt incredibly blessed as God has sent me overseas to serve. With more than just eyes to see other cultures, He has revealed the choice and ability to love all people as He loves.
The world can be dark without the light of love and hope; but, I know that even as I stumble my way into the dark, He remains a lamp unto my feet. I desire to be a carrier of light and love. This is what I was called to do and who I am. I love God and I am not afraid. There is no fear in love, for God is with us until the end of the ages.
“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God – His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” -Psalm 18:28-30
In a book titled Ruthless Trust The Ragamuffin’s Path To God, Brennan Manning writes: “In order to grow in trust, we must allow God to see us and love us precisely as we are.“
I challenge you, reader, let your HEART be bigger than your walls.
Bob Goff says, “Love God, Love people, and Do stuff.“
Let your language be LOVE and watch it LIGHT up the world around you.
<3
