1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, not now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.
This passage has always been one of my favorites. It is filled with so much! We see our natural state, we see Jesus, we see the God who called us out of the mess we were in, and we see who we are in Christ. Often when I read these verses I read them with my western worldview. When reading them on the other side of the globe the Lord showed me even more truth. The faces I saw on the streets, the children I worked with, the many people I met all are walking in darkness or once were walking in the same darkness I once lived in. The darkness of sin. And the same God that called me into his marvelous light has called them also or still desires to call them into this light! Chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession these "labels" (for lack of a better word) aren't given because I am American or because I have done something to earn them. It is only because of the mercy and grace of my Father. My God who pulled me out of the miry pit. Southeast Asians...the entire globe actually...have this same opportunity. I am chosen because God chose me. I am a royal priesthood because God has invited me into His kingdom. I am a holy nation because God himself is holy and Jesus died so I might come into His righteousness. I am a people for his own possession because God desires to use His children for His own glory and for His kingdom! This is true for every believer I talked to even though communication was difficult and they looked different from me. We could join hands in the same battle. We could rejoice because we belong to the same Kingdom and we both belong to a people that belong to God. Seeing this first hand got me pretty excited! I have more in common with a brother or sister in Christ that lives across the world than I do to the young adult sitting beside me in Starbucks on a Monday afternoon in Greenville, SC that has no relationship with my Savior. Isn't that crazy cool!
What a joy it was to live amongst these people for 11 days. The words I chose to describe my trip are faith, boldness, brokenness, and joy. These words describe the people I interacted with, the experiences I had, and the emotion of hearts. I wish I could describe the trip so vividly that you felt you were there, but I'm afraid you will just have to go yourself!
faith. Doubting Jesus just wasn't an option with those we ministered with and had the privilege to dine with. Each of their ministries began with one step. Then step by step living in faithfulness and obedience to what the Lord had called them to. They prayed for their own needs, they prayed for others physical needs and they never doubted God! Each day they are faithfully moving forward. Each day they are loving the people God had place them with. Each day they do not worry about how they will keep the lights on or food on their tables. by faith live.
boldness. I have never seen people with such boldness. I think of the many times I am nervous or fearful about striking up a conversation or sharing truth with a student or with a neighbor and I live in a Christian nation. A nation that is not going to lock me up or kill me for speaking of Jesus as Savior and Lord!! The boldness I saw and heard was so evident. They believe in the same truth of Jesus and they boldly spoke of this truth! They boldly went about their day looking for opportunity to share. How convicting! I have yet to share with my neighbors of the God I worship and they have lived by me for a year! I have yet to share with some students whom I have known for 2-3 years! Crazy!! What do I fear!?!? Scripture tells me I have nothing to fear for I serve a God who has conquered all things! Even hearing from a 17 year old who is the only Christian among all of her friends! She knows God's word and each day she lives boldly. She loves her friends, yet she never stands down when her faith and beliefs are being questioned! Talk about being a minority!
brokenness. My heart is broken for lost people. I do pray and hope that the students I am giving my life to will come into a relationship with God. The brokenness of heart that some of the women we met broke me. They love these people. They are constantly thinking and praying for the women they work with. Being brought to tears when just talking about the possibilities and opportunities opening up for these women. That is being broken for people. I cannot tell you the first or last time I was brought to tears over the students in Charleston who are far from God. Through their brokenness for people the Lord revealed to me my selfishness. How so often I am too concerned about when my day off is going to be or getting out of a meeting in time so I can get to my favorite worldly TV show. Most of my thoughts each and every day are about me. This is hard evidence that I am far too concerned with me and how I am going to prosper. I don't care if it's thinking about if I will ever get married or if it's what I am going to eat for lunch my thoughts and many prayers are about me and my future. This truly has challenged the way I live each day and my prayers. I am not saying I shouldn't have the freedom to bring my cares and worries to the Lord, but maybe I should tune my heart and mind to the things of the Lord more often than I do. Pray to be more greatly broken for those walking in darkness and for those who had sacrificed "normal" to live a life for God's kingdom! May "my kingdom" break so I may be a a part of the rebuilding of God's Kingdom!
joy. Oh what joy each and every day was. Joy was found in every conversation. Every car ride. Every walk down the street. Every moment with a friend. Every dinner we had with new friends. Each day was filled with Joy. What a privilege it was to be able to experience the joy of Jesus. There was nothing elegant about our trip. nothing that screamed vacation. But there was joy that I will recall for a lifetime. Seeing women light up when we open the word of God to share with them. Being a part of a ministry that is reaching an unreached people group. Meeting so many women who have given two years or their life to Southeast Asia. So much joy because Jesus was in each moment from start to finish! Jesus was a part of this trip and He is moving and working among these people.
Here are several more photos of our trip. Hope you enjoy! And please pray for the people of Southeast Asia.
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