What Would Be Different?

Stumbling across this passage the other day I was reminded of the life we are to lead as Christians.

- Colossians 3:12-17 -
¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Earlier on in chapter three Paul says: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." -Col 3:1-3

As I read this passage I couldn't help but think that if each one of us as believers imitate Christ, model our life after His, and essentially do all that we are commanded to do in this passage, how much different would the world be?  How much different would we as the Church, the body of Christ be? How much different would our relationships with those closest to us be?  How much different would we be as God's Chosen Ones?

Love in Christ,
J

'Cause every little things gonna be alright....

I would have never thought that by going to Jamaica the line "'Cause every little thing gonna be alright" would come to mean so much to me.  No, not because it's Bob Marley and I love Jamaica. But because through this trip God has taught me on a much deeper level that He is sovereign (and Jamaica is responsible :)).

We spent the majority of our time at Robin's Nest working on construction, cleaning, and doing painting projects.

The time that we spent with the children was priceless.  Little did I know that nine year old boys could grab such a strong hold on my heart. As I spent time with Swade, Wade, Delroy, Sun, Devin, and Little Prince, I noticed that just like every other boy they were so full of life...not distant and withdrawn like I had expected.  Like every other boy they have likes and dislikes, they have hopes and dreams, but most of all they desire to love and be loved. They were so hungry to receive love and affection from us yet so much more willing to pour their love on us.  What broke my heart was that each one of these boys (and all the children at the Nest) have pain as well.  Deep pain. Not just skin deep, they go much deeper into emotional wounds and scars on their hearts.  I felt overwhelmed by the needs these children have....I found myself questioning God as to why these children were in their present predicament.  If God promises to be a father to the fatherless then why are these children not in homes with parents to are willing to love them and care for their every need!  Robin's Nest provides a loving shelter for the children but it is only supposed to be a temporary home for them.  These children have food, shelter and a bed to sleep in but they don't have parents to scoop them up when they fall, to rejoice with them when they get good grades or win a game, or to cry with them when they lose.

Coming home from this trip I realized that God's heart for these children is SO much bigger than mine and His heart is grieved so much more over their situation than I could ever be. I was reminded that He is sovereign over the lives of these children...using their circumstances to shape them into the people He wants them to be.  He WILL be their father and He WILL care for them in every little thing as He knows best!  He's gonna make it be all right...in His time and in His way.

Soli Deo Gloria,
<3 J