Sunday morning I stood in church singing, "I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of GOD." Tears began to stream down my face. I am so thankful to be a child of the one true GOD. I am so thankful that, for now, no politician has decided that my belief in GOD is a crime. Or that my worship in unlawful. I am thankful that, if I had the means, I could come and go from my country at my leisure.
I am also scared. I'm scared of the path our country is on. I feel overcome by the hatred flowing so freely. I keep thinking, this is it, right? This is the beginning of the end. It can't get worse from here, can it? But it does.
Then I remember that GOD has me here to love and to serve. And while he's given me a specific burden for mommas, I know that I am to love all people. Jesus set the ultimate example of this. Jesus didn't preach to the choir. He did not call priests to help him spread his word of love, he chose fishermen. He hung out with the prostitutes and tax collectors.
My GOD is a GOD of love, not comfort. He has not promised us an easy life. He has promised us His best. He sent His only Son then had him born in a barn - no comfort there! Have you ever been in a barn? It stinks. Literally. Poor Mary. When I was pregnant, I was very aware of smells. I can only imagine how bad it would be to give birth in a stinky barn.
My faith makes me uncomfortable from time to time. It means that I need to stand up for someone who's not popular. It may mean that I have to stand up to someone who is popular. I don't always know what God will call me to do. But I try to listen and obey.
The one thing I can know, beyond a shadow of a doubt is this...Love is never the wrong answer. And not just to the love the lovable. Love the unlovable. Love ugly cats. Thankfully, the cats part is not in the scripture, I'm not a fan of cats. Love those who are being persecuted. Love the truth. Love your neighbor. Love the people you're scared of. Love your family. Love someone.
Please, just please, don't give into the fear and hate. Remember our LORD was an outsider. Remember, what you do to the least of these, you have done to Him.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25 - 34-40 (https://goo.gl/0KXOTK)
Monday, my friend Jonathan Shibley posted "My Kingdom Viewpoint Regarding the Immigration “Chaos”:" I encourage you to read them. You can see the post here. Jonathan is the president of Global Advance. He and his dad work with leaders across the globe to advance the call of Christ. I've known and respected Jonathan my entire life. I honestly can not remember not knowing him. Please take a minute to read his thoughts.