Seeking the Heart of Christ: July 2011

I can't seem to get children and how much I believe God loves all of the children in the world off of my mind. I know how much I love them. I think each child is a miracle, so I cannot even begin to fathom His unimaginable love for them. I look at the faces below… I look into their deep dark eyes and I know that each beautiful child has a story. I look at them, and I can’t image why anyone would ever want to harm them or leave them. I look at their smiles and see what the love of Jesus can do. I can’t help but be reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (NKJV).

As I think back on our time in Rwanda, I can’t help but remember how some were overwhelmed by the multitude of children. Children were running alongside our vans as we traveled hours down rocky, muddy terrain. Children were sticking their hands and heads in our windows. They were screaming and smiling and basically doing anything to get our attention. I, of course, smiled, spoke, and stuck my hands out the window to greet each one that I could.

Just as children can be at home, sometimes the children were a little rowdy. Unlike at home though, these children didn’t have parents looking out for them. I’d say at least 95% (probably closer to 98-99%) didn’t ever have parents with them at our church planting sites. I honestly couldn’t believe how respectful and well-behaved they were. At times, I think it was a little overwhelming for some other team members. A scripture would always come to mind as I watched the children and heard others. That scripture comes to mind now as I look at their beautiful faces.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (NKJV).

As with all things, God didn’t tell us this was always going to be easy. Anyone who has been around a child going through their terrible two’s or who has had the privilege of being around an outspoken adolescent knows how frustrating youth can be. Still, I believe God is instructing us to be patient with them. He tells us to continue to love them in the same spirit and manner that He loves us. What a challenge!

What spirit and manner has He loved us? Well, I’ll tell you. He has forgiven our every sin. He has paid our every debt. He has greeted us with open, loving arms every time we’ve made a mistake, let Him down, and disappointed Him. He’s never abandoned us. He’s always the same. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”. I don't know about you, but I am so thankful for that!

We as examples to our youth should strive to be the same example Christ has been to us! We should love unconditionally, yet discipline with that same love when needed. We should always be there with open arms. We should show the same kind of faith and purity that Jesus showed everywhere He went in our words and actions at every chance; whether it is opportune or seems inopportune. We should always, “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity as God tells us to.

I pray that scripture challenges your heart as much as it has challenged mine. I also pray the faces of the youth below bless you as much as they bless me each time I see them. May we all heed His word today and always. God bless you all!