I read this blog the other night and was convicted to the core of my being. Every ounce of me. Guilt, sadness, and fear swept over me all at once. It is so easy to get caught up in this life of ours. The hustle and bustle of raising children, the overwhelming need for perfection, the desire for more. It's in all of us. That's the way we are made. Sinful and self-absorbed. We cram our days so full there is little time to examine things outside of circle of existence. It's not easy reading things like this. It hurts our pride and condemns our current norms. But I know God put the words in this blog in front of me. He meant for us to be broken for the things that break Him. After reading this entry and many more, I just knew I needed to do something.
Do I think Kevin and I need to pursue an international adoption? No, or at least not right now, God has not called us to that. (I am sure some of our family members and friends reading this just took a collective sigh of relief.)
Do I think Kevin and I need to about HIS business of taking care of the widows, the poor, the orphans all around us? YES! Absolutely. His Word commands us to.
" Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:17
I would like to believe that I would never turn my back on someone in need, but how many times am I so consumed with my own life that I overlook those very people. If God placed a child in our path that needed a family. Could we say yes? Would we think it was too much for two parents with 4 biological children, a small house, and limited money. Those are just the beginning of the excuses my human side would use to build a case. But He asked Peter to WALK ON WATER. What is crazier than that? It goes against our human way of thinking. That's how God works. So I know it would be very foolish of me to say what is going to happen. God's bigger than my plans or my attitude. I pray that when these situations arise we will be quick to rely on His truths and respond with a resounding "Yes" without doubt or question. I always think about that song, "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That." For those of you not up-to-date on 90's country- here are the lyrics:
"What If Jesus Comes Back Like That"
He came to town on an old freight train
He jumped off in the pouring rain
Everybody says he's insane
Just a low down account hobo
He made his bed beneath the county bridge
The town folks said that's not his
They signed a petition they're gonna get rid
Of that white trash low down no count
What if Jesus comes back like that
On an old freight train in a hobo hat
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Born with a habit of drug abuse
She couldn't help what her mama used
It wasn't like she got to choose
Now she's laying there all alone
Got a monkey on her back
Nurses say they never saw a smile like that
Doctor says she might stand a chance
If somebody takes her home
What if Jesus comes back like that
Two months early and hooked on crack
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that
Nobody said life is fair
We've all got a cross to bear
When it gets a little hard to care
Just think of Jesus hanging there
He came to town on a cold dark night
A single star was his only light
The baby born that silent night
A manger for his bed
What if Jesus comes back like that
Where will he find out hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Yeah what if Jesus comes back like that
Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that
He jumped off in the pouring rain
Everybody says he's insane
Just a low down account hobo
He made his bed beneath the county bridge
The town folks said that's not his
They signed a petition they're gonna get rid
Of that white trash low down no count
What if Jesus comes back like that
On an old freight train in a hobo hat
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Born with a habit of drug abuse
She couldn't help what her mama used
It wasn't like she got to choose
Now she's laying there all alone
Got a monkey on her back
Nurses say they never saw a smile like that
Doctor says she might stand a chance
If somebody takes her home
What if Jesus comes back like that
Two months early and hooked on crack
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that
Nobody said life is fair
We've all got a cross to bear
When it gets a little hard to care
Just think of Jesus hanging there
He came to town on a cold dark night
A single star was his only light
The baby born that silent night
A manger for his bed
What if Jesus comes back like that
Where will he find out hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Yeah what if Jesus comes back like that
Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that
And if that's not enough- watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7At75kN_YsI
My heart breaks for the needs in our world. There will never be a perfect time and we will never have enough money. But God commands us to go and to go now. I don't know what God is asking you to do. I don't even know what God is asking me to do! I do know that we must be willing. We must accept the impossible, allow for discomfort, and examine some of our choices. Please pray with me that we will open our hearts and lives to what Jesus has in store.
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