Missions
It has come to my attention that I’ve taken shelter in my own little world, my comfort zone of denial, my self-centered existence. I’ve labeled myself a Christian, a follower of Christ.
The wake-up call has been humbling! In a sense my world has crumbled around me! The siren shocked me in to acknowledging that my pronouncement of faith was weak at best, and a stench in the nostrils of God at worst.
I stand in the middle of my so-called-perfect world, as it lays shattered at my feet, and find myself humbled and pleading for forgiveness. How could I have been so oblivious to those around me? How could I have missed the lost & forgotten? The Holy Spirit allows me to see my pathetic claims of Christianity have been no more than appeasements for my mind and flesh.
If I had taken the time to look, I might have felt something!
If I had taken the time to look outside my stained glass windows, I might have felt a prick in my heart, which would have let the air out of my sails.
While I warm myself by a fire made with wood, others use their shoes to build a fire.
While I sleep in a house sheltering me from the cold and wind, others are living in tarpaper shanties.
While I wear clothes that keep me warm and looking nice, others dress in thin layers.
While I feast on a warm meal of my choice, others eat only if food is available.
As long as I was clothed, warm and filled with food I had no reason to look outside of my world. As long as I remain focused on my existence and my world and my fleshly desires, I cannot see there are those lost & forgotten!
As long as I don’t look, I don’t feel!
As long as I don’t look outside my box I live in, I won’t feel compelled to reach out!
As long as I don’t look around me, I won’t feel drawn to the forgotten ones. I won’t be uncomfortable in my existence.
As long as I don’t look around me, I won’t feel convicted.
As long as I don’t look around me, I won’t feel anything except a lethargic existence, pacified by an unrealistic assumption that all is well.
If I continue, refusing to see around me, I will eventually not feel at all!
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Acts 4: 31-34
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold...
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Dear Father, God of Abraham and Isaac...
Today I ask for forgiveness, for my pathetic attempt to profess Christianity! I have followed hard after my own fleshly desires, and lived a self-centered life, and now I see the error of my ways. I recognize that I have been selfish, while claiming to be a follower of Christ, and failed to realize that Jesus set the example for how we are suppose to live and react to those around us who have been lost and forgotten. I have lived a very blessed life, while others struggle for basic necessities. Lord, forgive me for my selfishness, and help me to reach out to those all around me that are in need. Help me Father to be willing to give everything I have, if that is what you call me to do. Help me Father to recognize those that need to hear about You, and need to be showed the Love of Jesus, just as I have been shown. Guide me, direct me and teach me how to not only see the lost and forgotten that live right outside my doors, but to feel their needs! In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
This has been written from a breath-taking humbling experience, as I get to know the Navajo people, right here in America! They are many who have been lost and forgotten!
© Jounda LaMance November 17, 2005
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Ya know, honestly, we all can confess this as our own writing, and also I know that in this we are harder on ourselves than our precious all seeing God is - because He really does see your wonderful work, and compassion, and your heart. (our hearts) Now we will step out in even more awareness and newness of heart for one another, and watch what happens!!! God will magnify our efforts with His mighty presence! Thank you for your deep sharing. Lv,me
Wow! I could have written this,only you expressed it so accurately and beautifully what I wanted to say. It's a wake up call for me. Thanks for sharing the message that God has put in your heart. Blessings!
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