As I reflect upon these past 8 weeks my mind flashes as it recalls the many friendships, unforgettable memories, and challenges I have faced while here in San Diego. I am anxious and bubbling with excitement to return home to my family and friends; however, as the days pass it is becoming more difficult to digest the fact that my time here is coming to a close. No longer will I call “Condo Four on Santa Clara by Tower 19” my home. I won’t wake up beside some of my best friends, share funny stories, late night adventures, and experience God in our lives together. On August 6th we will go back to reality.
But with reality comes power and potential. We have been equipped with skills and confidence to further build up the kingdom of Christ. Timidity has been transformed into boldness. First hand I have not only witnessed, but experienced the work of the Lord in His children’s lives. Instead of choosing to dwell on the fact that project won’t last forever, I will direct my focus onto putting into action the things that God has taught me and exercising the new skills I have acquired. This summer has consisted of both input and output. With input comes responsibility: output. What use are the gifts have I been given if they are not put into action to bring glory to God.
Back in Knoxville I pray that I will surrender and die to myself, allowing Christ to avail in all my thoughts, actions, decisions, and words. I long to be a servant and for God to be glorified in everything- in my joy, pain, excitement, or suffering. I know this will be a constant battle between the flesh and the spirit, and for that reason I ask you to pray for me.
As many of you know I am involved with Uganda. For the past two summers I have had hands on experience with the poor and needy, and seen first hand the consequences of injustice, selfishness, and sin. However, I still struggled with the idea of poverty. As much as I loved the idea of helping those in crippling, hopeless situations, I fought apathy, and feared I would soon loose my battle. Terrible thoughts such as, “if God is going to fix everything anyway then what’s the point as long as people are saved?” “If I can’t help them all why even try?” “Does this really matter and make a difference in the end?” I know… a very sick heart.
I began reading a book called “The Hole in Our Gospel” by Richard Stearns who is President of World Vision. Filled with scripture, conviction, and answers the Lord has transformed my heart and given me a passion.
The Message Translation
Isaiah 1: 10-17
“Listen to my Message, you Sodom-schooled leaders.
Receive God’s revelation, you Gomorrah-schooled people.
“Why this frenzy of sacrifices?”
God’s asking.
“Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me, whoever gave you the idea of acting like this, running here and there, doing this and that- all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship? Quit your worship charade. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings- I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
God to bat for the defenseless.
I am talking to myself here too, but we have got to STOP it. Just stop. If we are not serving the poor and needy (either physically, emotionally, or spiritually) then what are we doing?
"'He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD." Jeremiah 22:16
What are we doing with our lives? Life isn’t just about going to church every week and being in a bible study, having great community, helping out people every once in a while. NO. We have been commanded to love those who are poor and needy. So please, stop trying. If you aren’t going to really live for the Lord then why are you wasting your time? This is an all or nothing thing. The church is missing this because if we were really committed to loving those in need our world would look different than it does now. Imagine if the church stepped up and was outwardly focused. Christ is exemplified and known when we love others. People would take notice because consumerism defines our culture; and self-denial, service, and humbleness defies it. Wherever we have been put we need to live what we would call “radical.” Everyday we must live for the one who came and died on the cross for our sins. I could go on, but I will stop. I recommend this book though- it’s full of scripture which makes it good.
Also, I ask that you will pray for a vision I feel the Lord has put on my heart. There is an old African saying, “If you educate a man, you simply educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” Imagine if we really invested into the women of the Wakiso village in Uganda (an area we work with). I feel like we need to focus on empowering the women/girls there. Giving them an education, business loans, informing them about health precautions, and building deep, Christ-centered relationships. Women are innovative, creative, motivated, determined, and responsible. Richard Sterns says, “An educated girl is more likely to acquire skills to improve the economic stability of her family, and she is also more apt to ensure that her daughters receive and education too. Educating girls pays dividend after dividend to the whole community.”
This is just what has kind of come off the top of my head, and I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes it.
