How Deep The Father’s LOVE For Us…

As our mission trip approaches, I am expecting great things from the Lord.  Praying that as the days to our trip quickly approach that He would do a work in my life so that I in turn can be used by Him to work in other’s lives.  Asking the Lord to give me eyes to see those we meet as He does.  Each and every one of them are precious to the Father and need the good news of Jesus Christ.  But don’t we all…I am truly in need of your gospel every day.

“How deep the Father’s love for us,

How vast beyond all measure.

That He should give His only Son,

To make a wretch His treasure…”

To help prepare the team for Africa, our mission leaders gave us a small devotional.  As I read it today I was asked an interesting question, “When you think about going on your mission trip, what is the first image or word that pops into your mid?”  My first thought was that this was an easy questions to answer, but when my pen touched the paper I couldn’t think of what to write.  Perplexed by this, I took a moment to pause and asked the Lord to give me an image.  The first thing I saw was a dirt road and my next thought was of Jesus’ sandals.  Again, I was perplexed but decided to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord brought me to 1 John 2:6, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”  As I pondered these words, the Lord brought into focus what He was trying to show me.  God did not wait for us to come to Him, He came to us first!  In the same way, He has called me to “walk in the same manner” to the orphans of Kenya!  The Father’s love is truly so deep.  So deep that He sent His only Son, Jesus!  And all so He could make me His!  This truth humbled me.  Humbling, because He has chosen to send me to walk in His footsteps to Africa.  Also humbling, because of how often I walk through life waiting for opportunities to serve to conveniently come to me.  God has already told me in His word that He has created me for good works.  And not only that, but that He has prepared them in advance “that we would WALK in them” (Ephesians 2:10).  

Lord, give me the heart of your Son, Jesus.  May I grow to walk in His footsteps daily.  Daily seeking to obey His teachings, and follow his example of complete obedience to God, and loving service to people.  Give me the eyes to see a need and the boldness to meet it.  Thank you for pursuing me, long before I knew I needed you.  Amen.