Day One: March 20th, 2011
Kansas is where I find myself this evening. Praise God for the spark of electricity to let me type these few lines. It’s Spring break and I’m half way in my journey to Dallas. Already, I’ve felt God’s tugging on my heart that this trip is meant for more than just sun and Chick-fil-A.
Would you care to come along? Read as much or as little as you like.
God has already exposed the folly of my heart to judge the Mennonite community of Hesston, Kansas. I stood in the buffet line and looked upon the woman in teal with a heart of distaste. I don’t even really know what it was about her. I just found myself disliking her way of worship, or even amount of food she was eating. Anything that came to mind I found a fault in. Ouch. I didn’t expect to feel conviction about this, but then again the hateful thoughts (gasp!) of my heart should be no news to me. I knew it couldn’t be right. Jesus had compassion for people. “Jesus, I need it now!”
To finish this day I was blessed to pray for a dear friend. In spite of my sin, God chose to use me…ahh that just doesn’t seem right! Yet, His ways are far above my own understanding.
Day Four: March 23rd, 2011
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”—1Peter 4:10
Not that I’m doing anything grand, but in little ways, I’m learning what that verse means. Carrying the Windex in hand, these past two days I’ve cleaned several inches of my sister’s new home “with the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (vs. 11)” I know this may seem trivial. I’m not building wells in Africa, but these small tasks have somehow become a delight.
After a box of books was rightly put on a shelf in the guest room, I found an old paperback with small yellow pages and penned up margins. Normally, I’d not open this, but the antique 1980’s feel beckoned my nose to smell the old glue of the binding (this trait I’ve grown accustomed to from two friends that are book-smell connoisseurs). The opening statement writes:
“There is something which makes Christianity more than a religion, more than an ethic, and more than the idle dream of the sentimental idealist. It is this something which makes it relevant to each one of us right now as a contemporary experience. It is the fact that Christ Himself is the very life content of the Christian faith. It is He who makes it ‘tick.’ ‘Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it’ (1 Thess. 5:24). The One who calls you is the One who does that to which He calls you.”—The Saving Life of Christ by Major W. Ian Thomas
I’m writing this after a night spent at a surprise church gathering that my sis and bro-in-law took us to. The heartbeat behind this group was to worship God and bringing the gospel to the nations. The music started but I felt overwhelmed by the message and fear-driven thoughts of changing this world. It really seems to be too big a thing to handle.
I thought, “God, I confess I am fearful and that I lack faith that you can change this world for your glory.”
I was gently reminded from earlier today when I read 1 Thessalonians 5:24, and that God is the one to do the work. He is faithful, and I am not. I was looking at my own capacity to serve and love others versus using the strength that God supplies. After that, worship seemed so carefree. There was a childlike sense to it because I knew Daddy would take care of it all.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are faithful, and that you will do it.
Last Day: March 25th, 2011
We visited the Museum of Biblical Art yesterday and I was hesitant at first. I really enjoyed it after the fact, but perhaps it’s the idea of pictures of my Savior on the cross that deterred my enthusiasm.
I don’t like the idea of it. It’s not pretty. It’s messy but it’s reality. Again, when I think about how it really happened, the nails in the feet and the gashes on his back, I get woozy. I dislike that idea, yet this very reality is our great delight and highest boast (Galatians 6:14)
Somehow by the end of the visit, I had my Bible out and was comparing history depicted in the paintings to their accounts in the Old Testament (nerd alert!). I praise you Father that you found it in Your good pleasure to reveal Your love to us.
“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.’”—Matthew 11:25-26
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