By Rose Vohwinkel / Next Gen Administrative Assistant/Worship
"It is in Christ that we find who we are and what we are
living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He has
his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall
purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)
I recently came back from a mission trip to Florida with 11 other
people (including my husband and two daughters), and it was an amazing
experience. We spent time at Give Kids the World, an organization for kids
with life-threatening illness. We were also at a food pantry which feeds close
to 1000 families every two weeks.
What I experienced was life-altering. I saw pure childlike
joy in families who knew their loved one may very well die. In fact, I
knew a little girl who stayed there last year and has since passed on to be in
glorious living with Christ. Hayden was only three but her very short time
was filled with blessings from God. Give Kids the World was a
constant reminder that we should have joy no matter what, for the joy of the
Lord is all we need. God has designed us for glorious living on earth
too. And you could see in the faces of each child and family that they
felt God's love. God has His eye on us, His hand in ours and His heart is
hoping that we reach out to find a Savior who wants more for us than just work,
bills, illness, sadness, depression... He has a purpose for us all - even those
sick children were given a purpose and maybe part of it was to remind me of the
grace, mercy and joy my God gives.
I also saw grateful hearts in the prisoners we fed on the side of
the road. These men saw the hands and feet of God in Pastor Chuck - a man who
has dedicated his ministry to serving the poor, the less fortunate and the
criminal. But I am not free of sin - so I am just as guilty as each of
those men - for all sin is equal in God's eyes. Pastor Chuck sees these
people with the eyes of God and he serves them.
So the question to myself (and maybe to each of you) is, what do I
do with my experiences? Am I going to serve the children, the sick, the hungry,
the less fortunate and the sinners? Or will I stay in my comfort zone and
forget about them? Shame on me if I never act on what God showed me.
I pray that you experience the love of Christ today and that you
show His love to someone else. Stretch yourself and you will find the purpose
God intended for you, and it will bring you joy. Through Christ I know who I am
and what I am living for - HIM! And my call is to serve.
Thank You Lord that You are faithful for the journey. Help me to
trust You for the duration of the process so I won't miss anything You want to
accomplish. Grow my obedience Holy Spirit I pray, in Your beautiful and Holy
Name, the name of Jesus.