“Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. ” C. T. Studd
I don’t know this little boy, but I want to. I am so excited to have the opportunity to go and love children all around the world. Like there are no words. I watched a video this afternoon on the conditions kids are living in in Kabul, Afghanistan and it’s appalling, I wanted to cry. I want to encourage this generation of kids, that throughout everything they will encounter that Christ will always be there, and that the creator of the entire universe cares to listen to them cry out to him and seek refuge. I am so blessed to have always been provided for, but wonder the kind of faith I would have if I had faced more adversity. These kids I’ll encounter are strong, most of them very independent, and most don’t know what it’s like to just be a kid, to blow bubbles in the afternoon sun, to feed the ducks at the pond, to lick a loco pop with juice running down their face and shirt. I may not be able to bring all of these things to them, but I do hope to bring them peace, to bring them hope in a God who will reconcile all things for them, and lead them to a promised land if they’ll seek it. I want so badly for kids, especially in impoverished places around the world, with hard home lives or just difficult situations to catch a glimpse of what the world was intended to be. That although all is not right in the world, they will realize this is not how God intended life for us to be, and they will want to be filled and inspired by him alone to change it. Change- there’s a word that has been so over used and confused in recent times. Change can only happen when we allow God to move n and through our lives; when we step back and realize we are ants, God is ginormous and we should ask him to help. He wants us to ask him to help, he wants to bring change and transformation to your life, to mine, to our cities, and our nation and nations all around the world. I want the church to not just be a steeple. I want the church to be everywhere i put my feet. The bible says the son of man had no place to lay his head, he was homeless. He wasn’t living the highlife in the “burbs”… His ministry was the same. He wasn’t preaching in a “millions of dollars” facility, but fields, on mountain sides, and in the streets. He didn’t go to the fanciest restaurant in town, but instead fed others before himself, dined with criminals, the poor and sick. Jesus loved to feed people! He fed them physically and filled them spiritually. What a good God!
I have realized more and more lately how much i love feeding people. Like I get an overwhelming joy serving someone some tasty treat I labored over to prepare. I crouch waiting, about to explode with excitement in the hopes that they will enjoy it from the first bite, or sip if thats the case. We truly were made to serve, and when we see this and implement this into our lives, ordinary tasks like doing the dishes, cleaning your house or a friends, cooking for a dinner party or serving homeless breakfast on sundays, becomes more than a task- it becomes a renewing. I feel so full and alive not when i am being served, but when I am serving, that is my place, that is the my calling- my joy.
” I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as i have breath.
Death wrapped it’s ropes around me, the terror of the grave over took me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: ” Please, Lord, save me!”
How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I said, ” I am deeply troubled Lord.”
In my anxiety I cried out to you, ” these people are liars!”
What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
I will keep my presence to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Psalm 116:1-14
** This was written before the race. RIght after training camp.. I still feel the same** PAPA give me eyes to see “him” all around me, and to not lose opportunities to love “him”.
Love you all- pray for me- Goodnight
