Although foot washing was an amazing and joyful experience yesterday, it did come with it's own set of challenges, the largest being that we could not provide shoes for the whole village and had to turn people away. Having to turn a small child away from a new pair of shoes is no easy task, it's a pair of shoes. I have like ten pairs of shoes, these children are walking around barefoot for lack of one pair of shoes. It was a huge struggle to reconcile the idea within my head and heart that we cannot provide for all of these people. Turning mothers and children away makes you feel guilty and caused a lot of confusion in my head and heart on how as a missionary I could say no to these people. "Aren't we here to love and serve these people?, They have legitimate needs . . ."
When I read the Beatitudes this morning I was reminded that although these people need shoes, what they really need is the love of Christ, and although they might be begging for shoes, what they are truly begging for is love. God will provide for all of our needs, physical and spiritual. It isn't up to us to provide shoes for everyone. God will provide what these people need, we are called to be willing to serve and love.
"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blessed those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they Will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."
Matthew 5:3-10
PS: This is a picture of Isaiah and I holding one week old goats! :)
2 comments:
Thank you for serving God in our Nation Nigeria.
Jamie, I cryed when I read your thoughts today. Wow, what a powerful message, and what an important mission. Baby, I can't imagine how much it hurts when you run out of things to meet needs like shoes or energy. I pray that God will supply the energy and strength you ALL need to make it happen.
Ilove you!
Mom :)
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