Care

Jesus does not ask that we care for the less fortunate.

He demands it.
 - Katie Davis

Roll away your stone

Seems that all my bridges have been burnt

But you say that's exactly how this grace thing works

It's not the long walk home that will change this heart

But the welcome I receive with the restart

 

- Mumford and Sons, Roll Away Your Stone

 

breakdown

 

"I feel it inside me
I feel You underneath my skin
These walls could not hide me
They could not keep you from coming in

So now here You find me
Right back to where I began
Come break me down with Your mercy
Come break me down again

I'm Yours tonight
I'm Yours if You can break me down
Break through these walls I hide behind
I'm Yours tonight
Come and break me down"

-Tenth Avenue North

We need to ask Jesus to bring us trials.

To break us down.

To ruin us with His indelible grace.

We tend to want to ask Jesus to take us over, around or above the trials that come. But Paul tells us something so completely against the grain: We must "exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance" (Romans 5:3).

We need the trouble. The long nights of pleading to God. The days of sin, confession, strife. Because those things over everything draw us to Jesus. And He's all we need.

It doesn't matter what you've done... God will seek you out.

He will break you down with His incredible, amazing, perfect love.

amar

I miss Mexico so much.

I miss the culture; the people; the late nights and early mornings. The beautiful mountains juxtaposing the exceptionally poverty-stricken cities.

Most of all I miss the love. When I was in Mexico last October, I saw so much love. In the midst of suffering and poverty, sickness, health, whatever the case was; there was always love. The care and hospitality that the people showed to me and the rest of the team was truly incredible. They could see Jesus in us, and we in them, and we loved each other for it. 

How different is that from our culture here in the states? We tend to "love" one another in order to get something. But halfway around the world, or even a mere 4 hour flight South, you can find people.

People who are being beaten down with true physical persecution. 

People who are in the midst of poverty and illness.

People who have endured giant floods and fierce droughts.

And yet they love; without condition and without fail. Because they understand that real love comes from One. And they follow that One with their entire being for a single reason:

He loves them.

I'm officially a blogger.

That's about it.

The end.