Do you ever wish you could save a moment in time?
Sure we keep journals, take pictures, and try our best to save the memory. But a moment is so much more than that. In a moment, you feel. Some moments are filled with the thoughts of everyday life. What to wear. What to eat. What do people think of me? Other moments can be filled with such triumphant joy or quiet contentedness. And still there are the moments you experience something that changes your perspective on life, at least for a moment. Maybe you witness true suffering or poverty and swear you'll never be greedy or want more again. But then you are greedy. And you do want more. I have to wonder why that is? Why does such sincere conviction to be selfless and help those in need, fade away so quickly?
I've got a theory. It's because we can save a memory, but we really can't save a moment. You can remember seeing a family who lives in a house the size of your spacious walk-in-closet. But you too often forget the way it felt to put yourself in their shoes. Somehow the conviction to go out and help the poor and save the lost is gone. Because when the moment is over, so is the feeling, and your urgency to be the hands and feet of Jesus fades away to little nagging in the back of your mind.
Even here, surrounded by poverty and broken families. It's easy for me to forget. I get excited about the possibility of flying to Cape Town, or seeing Victoria Falls. I think about my plans for the weekend or how exhausted I am. And sometimes I put the kids' needs on the back burner of my mind. Because I'm human.
In this past month, I have been overwhelmed by moments of blessing. So many moments I am filled with joy by the people who have been put in my life.
On Fridays, an Afrikaans woman from the community comes to teach art to the kids. This week was a simple project so she gave me the materials to teach my grade 4s. We had worship music playing and the kids wanted me to play the same song over and over. The chorus goes, "I'm not longer a slave to sin, I am a child of God." Hearing the kids declaring these words over their own lives was so powerful. If I could, I would save that moment.
I have also experienced moments that I don't want to soon become numb to. I've seen children whose parents do not even look after them on the weekends. Parents who allow awful things to happen to their children.
In these moments I have a feeling of sorrow over their need for safety and love, but my own conviction and resolve to commit my life to helping the orphaned will soon pass. Only a conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit will never fade.
Join me in praying that our hearts will be burdened for the lost and vulnerable. Children especially. Pray with me that God will turn a moment of sorrow and empathy into a lifelong conviction to seek and save the lost.
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Nicole
Sure we keep journals, take pictures, and try our best to save the memory. But a moment is so much more than that. In a moment, you feel. Some moments are filled with the thoughts of everyday life. What to wear. What to eat. What do people think of me? Other moments can be filled with such triumphant joy or quiet contentedness. And still there are the moments you experience something that changes your perspective on life, at least for a moment. Maybe you witness true suffering or poverty and swear you'll never be greedy or want more again. But then you are greedy. And you do want more. I have to wonder why that is? Why does such sincere conviction to be selfless and help those in need, fade away so quickly?
I've got a theory. It's because we can save a memory, but we really can't save a moment. You can remember seeing a family who lives in a house the size of your spacious walk-in-closet. But you too often forget the way it felt to put yourself in their shoes. Somehow the conviction to go out and help the poor and save the lost is gone. Because when the moment is over, so is the feeling, and your urgency to be the hands and feet of Jesus fades away to little nagging in the back of your mind.
Even here, surrounded by poverty and broken families. It's easy for me to forget. I get excited about the possibility of flying to Cape Town, or seeing Victoria Falls. I think about my plans for the weekend or how exhausted I am. And sometimes I put the kids' needs on the back burner of my mind. Because I'm human.
In this past month, I have been overwhelmed by moments of blessing. So many moments I am filled with joy by the people who have been put in my life.
On Fridays, an Afrikaans woman from the community comes to teach art to the kids. This week was a simple project so she gave me the materials to teach my grade 4s. We had worship music playing and the kids wanted me to play the same song over and over. The chorus goes, "I'm not longer a slave to sin, I am a child of God." Hearing the kids declaring these words over their own lives was so powerful. If I could, I would save that moment.
I have also experienced moments that I don't want to soon become numb to. I've seen children whose parents do not even look after them on the weekends. Parents who allow awful things to happen to their children.
In these moments I have a feeling of sorrow over their need for safety and love, but my own conviction and resolve to commit my life to helping the orphaned will soon pass. Only a conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit will never fade.
Join me in praying that our hearts will be burdened for the lost and vulnerable. Children especially. Pray with me that God will turn a moment of sorrow and empathy into a lifelong conviction to seek and save the lost.
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Nicole
Wise beyond your years girl. Miss you. You're making change :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI met your mom in a Bible study and was so interested in hearing you are in South Africa. I look forward to reading all about your time there. South Africa is in my heart...I have been there twice, to Coffee Bay on short term missions trips. What an amazing place! I will keep you in prayer and know you will have an amazing time with those beautiful children!
Your willingness to open yourself up to God's will for your life is a blessing to both you and those you are helping. Even in its imperfection the world is a beautiful place because people like you are in it! God will never leave your or foresake you. I am holding you in prayer.
ReplyDelete