Bucket showers and power outages are something of the norm these days and oddly I’ve come to enjoy them. The simplicity of life on the race has drawn me in and it’s something I absolutely love.
Here in Honduras we have been teaching at local schools, helping with discipleship classes and planning community events for youth, families & children. Daily walks to the coffee shop seem to find their way into our agenda as well.
Ministry during the last three months has been incredible, full of stories I will remember for a lifetime. In the midst of ministry, constant community and transitioning to life in three new countries the Lord is still refining my Spirit.
(Honduras is absolutely beautiful! Lookout from a hike during our first adventure day.)
It all started when someone stole one of my apples. Last month in Nicaragua was all squad month and living with 33 roommates is much different than living with five: shared kitchen, shared living room, shared bathrooms, shared bedrooms, and shared clothes was more than an adjustment.
Throughout the month I realized I was seeing others for their behavior and was totally ignorant of their identity and character in Christ. Without even knowing who stole my apple, I immediately labeled them a thief. When someone didn’t do their part in ministry, I labeled them as unreliable. When people were late, I saw them as inconsiderate to others. I came to the harsh realization that I was carrying around a lens of judgment: a lens that concealed the true identity of my brothers and sisters.
I knew I had to get rid of it but I just didn’t know how. How on earth do I lay something down I didn’t even realize I was carrying in the first place? The answer is simple: love.
I had to choose to see people as loved, as cherished, as valued, as chosen, and as His. Regardless of behavior, I had to make the conscious effort to see people through my Father’s eyes; because if love was based on behavior I’d be lacking in more ways than one.
When Jesus looks at us He doesn’t say “Oh you’re a thief, but I guess I’ll love you anyways.” He says, “I love you, because I love you, because I love you.” Conditions and circumstances don’t change my Father’s love and if I’m constantly carrying the presence of my Father neither should mine.
Looking through a lens of love is much sweeter than looking through a lens of judgment. What I’ve learned this month is that when see you people through the Father’s eyes you see who they really are, and when you see people for who they are you get to remind them of that. You get to remind them their life has value, you get to call them to their potential, and you get to see unveiled beauty of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Is it a choice to look through the lens of love, yes … is it worth it, absolutely.
Love y’all so much.
PS: I loved all squad month in Nicaragua!!! It was incredible being with my entire squad for the whole month, please don’t let this blog make you think otherwise. My squad is fabulous & I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.
(My team and I, with two of our squad leaders, before we hosted an even for the youth last Saturday.)
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Prayer requests:
- Health: Our team has been pretty sick this month, myself included. We have also been battling a lot of fatigue and tiredness. Prayers for rest and renewed energy.
- Travel: At the end of this month my squad and I will be changing continents and traveling to South America. Prayer over this day (April 2nd) are welcome.
- Boldness: My team and I have decided to start stepping out in bigger ways; Jesus comes even when we think it’s impossible!
