Gravity: It Is Well

Truly I tell you, 

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, 

you did for Me.

Matthew 25:40

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, 

if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? 

Can such faith save him? 

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 

If one of you says to him, 

‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ 

but does nothing about his physical needs, 

what good is it? 

In the same way, faith by itself, 

if it is not accompanied by action, 

is dead.

James 2:14-17

A very wise young lady posted on Facebook, "I believe in God like I believe in the sun. Not only can I see the sun, but by it I see all other things."

Oh, how this has rang true for me. By Him, I am able to see how beautiful even the most wretched things of this world can be. Through Him, I can see how I play a part in either making them worse or better.

I recently watched "Gravity," the new film starring Sandra Bullock (my absolute favorite actress, for those of you who didn't know). Without giving away the story line, there's a scene where Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is mentally preparing herself for impending death and she sadly shares that she has no one to remember her, no one to "pray for her soul." She continues, "I'd pray for myself, but I've never prayed a day in my life. No one ever taught me how."

Wow. To seek something greater than yourself at the time when you realize there is so much more to life than our accomplishments on Earth….and to not know where to go from there. 

For a moment, I lost the movie. My heart grieved for all of the people who have ever felt the same way, for those who feel like there's no way out. For those who do not realize there is someone just waiting with His arms wide open for us to fall into, to share our cares and concerns, celebrate our successes, mourn our losses.

I remember wondering if there was a point to believing all of this "God stuff." And I don't know who prayed for me, or what obedient acts of others God used to lift me up. All I know is I have most certainly been among the least of these and someone, maybe lots of someones, answered God's call. How shameful would it be if I did not turn around and do the same?

In the past eight or so years, I have gone through some very intense seasons that have only proven to deepen my faith. If you haven't walked through them with me, you have read about some of them on this very blog.

Through these trials, I have learned that it is never God who moves when we are suffering. It is us. We are the ones who run.

Maybe it's because we can't take one more let down.

Maybe it's because we think we're doing everything right, and when everything still hits the fan we decide we can do better on our own.

Or maybe we need to grow up and realize that bad things happen, but God is still sovereign. He still loves us. And He works everything….EVERYTHING….together for our good.

One of my love languages is quality time, and lucky for me, I think that's one of God's, too. He loves it when we lean on Him throughout the day, lay our burdens at His feet and praise His name in thanksgiving. But He also revels when we just sit with Him, singing praises and letting His presence fall on us like the most gentle of raindrops, washing away all grime from this earth. He constantly sends us reminders of how much He loves us, how He will provide for us...we just have to be willing to listen.

Many of you know that in January I have an incredible opportunity to go to India and be the hands and feet we are so often challenged to be. Through this mission, our church is sowing into the lives of the villagers where wells are being built to offer sustainable life through clean and accessible drinking water. Further answering the call of Christ, there are churches being built in each of the villages along with the wells. 

The second I heard of this mission in church, I turned to my then-significant other and said "If they ever send a team there, I'm on it." Little did I know at the time, God had placed a desire in my heart that He would test through the faithfulness of my offerings and prayers and would confirm just seven months later that I would indeed be one of the many on our way to serve His children in India.

I want to bring the hope of Christ to the broken-hearted. I want to teach people how to pray. If I can introduce just one person to the amazing Grace that keeps me putting one step in front of the other each day with a joyful song in my heart and a smile of gratitude…..well, wouldn't you?

Joyce Meyer says, "Don't just have enough faith to stay out of hell. Have enough to take someone else to Heaven with you."

I don't want to be stingy with my faith. I want to share it with everyone. I don't get it right often, in fact, I get it flat out wrong a lot. But I love Jesus and by His grace, I stand. There's nothing for us on this Earth, but Heaven...let's get there together. 

I mentioned at the beginning of the post that it was the obedience of others that God used to lift me up. And I want my obedience to be used by God to lift someone else up. They may never know I prayed for them, and I may never know how God used it, but I will be obedient. I will bless because I have been blessed.

So I am asking you to join me.

What an honor my team members and I are blessed with to serve the members of each of these villages addressing their practical needs, dedicate each of the wells, and share the Grace-filled Gospel that has set each one of us free.

Your prayers, monetary contribution, and overall support are a blessing to me, but they extend even further to reach the lives of people you and I don't even know.

Thank you.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It Is Well with my Soul, Horatio Spafford

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