How many whispers have been breathed in the exhale of shattered moments…God, take me to Uganda, take me to Guatemala, take me to the dumps, take me to the kids crying out in emotional refuge.
Take me anywhere God, anywhere but here.
Why is it so much easier to serve God in the limelight, in the excitement of international missions, in the homeless shelter, than to serve Him where He calls us to serve Him most?
In. Our. Homes.
Why is it easier for me to wash the feet of a crippled stranger than to kneel down, yet again, to tie the shoe of a straggling out the door late six year old. To control my tongue in a fit of rage and frustration when a disagreement with my husband is not going my way. To not give in to the old age saying of “I grew up this way, so I can’t change”.
It’s so much easier to whoop down and save the day, make the headlines through mission trips, organized church drives, and feeding the homeless. It’s so much harder to battle the trenches day in and day out. But what does Christ say matters most…
…Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12
To endlessly share HIS love with others. Not my version of love which contains an unfortunate amount of temper tantrums and ‘ughs’ erupted loudly. (And sadly, those aren’t expressions of my four year old…those are the expressions of this thirty six year old’s imperfections). HIS love doesn’t keep track of how many times you’ve washed that orange skillet, how many loads of clothes you’ve folded just this week alone, or how many meals your hands have crafted. HIS love doesn’t keep score. HIS love keeps giving, continues on amist the chaos that being in a family is guaranteed to bring.
It doesn’t matter how many Sunday School classes I’ve taught, how many Bible studies I attend, or if I never make it overseas to hug a smiling little Uganda boy.
What matters is that no matter where I am, I should exemplify CHARºIºTY: THE ACT OF GIVING.
I want to share HIS love on glorified battlefields but that isn’t where He is calling me. He’s calling me to remember what a wise teacher once said…charity begins at home.
It’s easier to minister to strangers because we have no emotional ties to them. When they reject God, we don’t take it personal. But when our own loved owns push God away, that is harder to watch. But maybe that’s what we need. Because then, it’s Christ’s peace that helps us respond in kindness. Whereas, if we only responded out of our imperfect selves, we probably wouldn’t be able to show as much gentleness or compassion as is needed. Or when a child says time after time how they don’t want to go to church, it’s Christ’s patience that shines through to help provide an encouraging and uplifting response.
Perhaps God changes us more, grows our faith more, when we allow HIM to place us where He wants us to serve.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts.” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” Isaiah 55:8
So…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
Great post Jessica! I so agree with your statement of how it’s easier to minister to those we are not emotionally tied to. The largest challenges to my spiritual growth have always occurred where my emotions were engaged. And the ministry fields afar do always seem greener! Thank for the encouragement to all of us to do the important and ordinary work set before us daily.
Thanks for commenting Teresa! I have begged God for years to serve afar (especially international missions) but where I feel HIS call more is in that daily grind of life. How short I fall in serving Him at home. It is so hard but thankfully that is what His grace is all about. He extends it to us and we extend it to others.
My service to the Lord right now is in the world of waiting. I hate to wait I hate to wait for test to come back or appointments for blood counts to rise wait wait wait. Most of all I hate waiting for Allen’s healing to be done so that he can come home. Right on cue just when I’m feeling frustrated with all this waiting. God speaks. Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Even in the small things we serve the Lord. More so in our homes than anywhere else. In tying shoes cooking meals picking kids up from school God is up to something he’s working in your life even when you can’t feel it or see it. It’s hard to see God in all this waiting. Yet I sense His purpose and plan is being done. I serve him in my waiting.
Thanks so much for sharing Deb. You are exactly right that you are serving Him in your waiting but oh, what a hard time being patient it is. And your waiting does change you – makes you more in His image I would think. Love you.