"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing."
Colossians 1:6
The two pictures are so vastly different. The first is the scene out of my kitchen window in my home in Iowa. The latter is a scene as we drove through Sierra Leone, Africa. With the exception of the trees, there is not much similarity in the photos. The landscape is different. The climate is different. The culture is different. The people are different.
And yet, the gospel is the same! Christ is evident in each place! I could see His work in both locations. I could feel His presence in both lands. I meet His people in both countries!
God is so darn far above us! His word tells us that His gospel message will surpass all barriers. He will raise up and EVERY knee will bend one day!
Sometimes I get concerned about the differences I see in people around me. And I get nervous about those differences. What if they think I am strange? What if we don't enjoy the same things? What if I reach out to her and then realize we are so vastly different that I can't stand to be with her? GOD SURPASSES ALL! His gospel has no boundaries!
I must keep my focus on Christ. Keep my thoughts, eyes, and actions on His word. That will go all over the world. That will work regardless of the differences, regardless of the landscape!
Dear Lord,
Today help me to take your Word to every end of the world. Help me to reach those who are different from me. Help me to reach those in my own community, in my own workplace, in my own home. Allow me to bear fruit and grow for the sole purpose of glorifying you!
Thanks for your words, Jen. What a timely post...I just spent some time in the Word(Philippians 1) and one of the verses I wrote down to commit to memory is so fitting with what you had to say...
ReplyDelete"Whatever happens, conduct yorulseves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (Philippians 1:27)....then I wrote a note beside it that says, "live it out!" My prayer for you and me today! :)