nearly a year ago, i sat in my church on a Friday night and watched a play about depression and suicide ... two of the most depressing topics, and yet the actor said something that really encouraged me. towards the end of his performance, he said four words. four words that can mean the world, and almost made me cry because of their meaning.
"will there be enough?" at first glance, one might think ... enough of what? food? water? shelter? well, yes, all of those things are important. but he meant love. possibly the most important concept to all people, and yet it seems, often times there isn't enough. so many people who do not know the love of Jesus, the loving touch of a friend, neighbor, or family member. aren't we called to show Jesus' love to everyone we meet? out of 6.9 billion people in this world, approximately 2.2 billion of us are christians. almost a third of the world's population identifies as christian, and yet, there are so many people who don't know love, who haven't experienced it. out of all all of the catastrophic events that happen in our world today ... what if those people had been shown more love? what if they had known jesus? in my bible reading this morning, i came across a verse that said: "a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." (gal. 5:9) at first, you think ... this is a verse about baking. and while it can be, there is more to it. us as christians are the yeast. the world is our dough. we are called to bring the world together, showing love, compassion, and spreading God's truth to everyone we meet, regardless of whether or not they are christians themselves. don't let physical differences keep you from being the hands and feet of jesus. you don't know who needs that love the most.
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in Touring Choir this year, we are singing a song called, "Do Not Be Afraid." the first time we sang this song in a concert, i nearly started sobbing, because i knew that this song would mean something great to me, but i didn't know exactly how much, and maybe i still don't. but this i do know, this song has impacted me in more ways than i could possibly know.
"do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name ... you are mine. when you walk through the waters, i'll be with you ... you will never sink beneath the waves. when the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames. do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name ... you are mine. when the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side. when you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in my eyes. do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you ... you are mind. you are mine, o my child, and I love you ... I love you with a perfect love. do not be afraid for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name ... you are mine." before one of our concerts, a senior mentioned the importance of the line, "when you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in my eyes." for a lot of them, that line will soon be coming true, but it's also true for so many people in our community today ... that really hit me -- just how much of an impact this song can have. there are so many people fighting for their lives, their opportunity to stay in this country to have a better life ... they're the ones putting up a good fight. in my devotional tonight, i read the verse 2 Timothy 2:5, which says, "god doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible." there it was again, as the same song popped into my head. if we're shy and quiet, we won't further the kingdom. but instead, we need to be bold, loving, and sensible in order to get anywhere. at the same time, we may find ourselves in the exile of a stranger, or being ridiculed for our beliefs. it takes a lot to be courageous and speak out ... trust me, i know. but if we ever hope for change or to make a difference, sometimes all it takes is a single voice ... more will join you. |
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