Revelations

In all honesty I feel like I just got back from Africa, the memories are still as impacting today, if not more, as they were almost a year ago when they were happening. I still find myself praying for the little girls who were being abused by their parents, and wondering if they are okay, if they are still alive, and if God truly cares for them and if he does why isn't he doing anything. Then I find myself pausing and remember HE IS DOING SOMETHING, I was a little part of the big picture in saving those children. Maybe my team were the only people who ever loved them or showed our love, and in that case I pray we did the best we could to show the love of God though our imperfections. I also pray that it wasn't just some Americans speaking to them, I pray it was the voice of God speaking to the cries of their hearts. 

As I prepare my heart, mind, and body (sleeping in a cold dirty tent on the floor isn't quite normal) to go back I find myself asking some questions... What does love look like? How do I show Christ's love in a way that will truly mean something to them? How do you explain to them how to keep the "fire" going? And that there WILL be hard seasons?

So I was kinda frustrated I woke up on Thursday and felt free to be me in Christ, then I woke up of Friday feeling like a ton was sitting on my head weighing me down. I was asking God how is this even possible? Then I saw this image of a fire burning, and then leaves sitting on top of it (they weren't burning just over top of it) Then a wind came and blew the leaves off and the fire shot up and burned even stronger, but when the wind stopped the leaves returned and the fire dwindled. In the same sense when we speak (wind) about the love, joy, and grace of Christ in the good times and even more in the bad times, we will remove the junk (fear, doubt, pressure, pain, worry) (leaves) in our lives, and the love of Christ (fire) will shine through. 

And in seeing that image and understanding that the Lord wants me to rejoice in good and bad times and that's how to show my love and dedication to him, and when I rejoice he will be near. (when you draw near to God he will draw near to you) So if your in a place of fear, confusion, chaos, pain, doubt, or ____(insert your problem here). Rejoice! And let the love of Christ overcome you and take way your _______(insert junk here).