At the time of writing this blog, I am sitting in a café eating pizza in Chile. I have just finished a huge ministry day with work and am reflecting on all that has happened.
This is my first time in Chile and I enjoying taking everything in; the sights and sounds and smells. The people and the food and the culture. It is all new and exciting and even though I am here with my work, it feels like a grand adventure. This trip has given me a chance to experience something new and exciting, which I am extremely thankful for. It’s also given me a chance to see God at work in an incredible way.
The purpose for this trip is to hand out shoeboxes to children through my work, Operation Christmas Child, which has been incredible. But more than handing out the boxes, I have loved meeting the people and hearing their stories. It has been overwhelming and emotional listening to the stories of some of these people and learning what drives them. I have sat and wept with them as they have shared their stories. I’ve held their hands and prayed for them and with them. I have sat in my room at night and wept for these people and their requests. I have felt humbled at what they are doing despite the circumstances they are in. And I have been in awe of their heart to see the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven.
Had I not come on this trip, I would never have seen just how God is working here through His people. I have had moments while watching these people where I have felt that my efforts back home are inadequate, especially compared to theirs, but you know what God has shown me? He has shown me that while I am not doing what these people are doing, I am advancing the gospel, it just looks different.
[bctt tweet=”The world is full of some many people that are shining the light of Jesus in their own way, just like you and I. It is full of quiet heroes of the faith, it just looks different #devotions ” username=”acwriters lhalawe”].
While some are being the hands and feet of Jesus by feeding the hungry or clothing the poor, you and I are doing it through our words and books and blogs. Where some will stand behind the pulpit and passionately declare the truth of Jesus, some of us are showing who Jesus is through our stories. We are all doing the work that God has set out for us to advance His Kingdom for His glory, it just looks different. And you know what? That is not just okay, it is awesome because that is the Body of Christ at work. That is each one of us walking the path that God has set before us and using the skills and talents that God has given us to advance His Kingdom.
Each one of us has a part to play in pointing people to Jesus, but we don’t need to do it in the same way. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Paul says, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (NIV).
We are all part of the one Body, and we all make it work in our own way. Whether you are a stay at home parent or a writer or a lawyer or an editor, being faithful to what God is asking you to do is what matters. Championing the Gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus is what counts at the end of the end of the day, not whether we do it in the same way that someone else does.
Can I remind you that what you do matters? Your writing matters. The book you are writing matters. Your comments matter. You matter. All that you do matters and it’s important and needed. You are important and needed. God would not have made you the way you are to do what He wants you to do otherwise. Be encouraged today, what you are doing on your side of the world matters to the Body and matters to God. And I for one, am so thankful for it.
Hi Lays, Wow, your experiences with the locals in Chile are both amazing and humbling. Thanks for sharing your encouraging and inspiring words, and for giving us a glimpse of the bigger picture of God and His people working in other parts of the world. 🙂
Thanks Narelle! It’s been incredibly humbling and beautiful seeing God at work 😊
So appreciate this, Lays. What a great reminder that we are all part of the body of Christ. God bless Operation Christmas Child!
Thanks Carolyn! The trip was a great reminder for me, too, to not compare my efforts with others. The Body at work is an incredible thing!
We have a Friendship Centre at our church (it to reach out to the community and most who come are non Christians). We support Operation Christmas Child and the Ladies and men love to be involved. Normally we do at least 50 boxes from the group plus several members will fill their own boxes. The members will knit, sew and make items for the boxes (One man even makes small wooden toys). While it blesses children it also blesses these people and is a way to show them Gods love.
This may be a side benefit from the OCC that it reaches not just the children it reaches people who are supporting it.
Jenny, that’s so awesome! There is room for everyone to get involved. When I meet up with volunteers, that’s one of the things they usually say, that the ministry blesses them as well because they feel wanted and needed. 😊
I am often challenged that I am not out there evangelizing as per Jesus’ instruction, however I now realise that we all have been gifted and enabled by God for His purpose in our lives. We are not all called to be International Evangelists, Pastors, Missionaries, Healers or Prophets. My gift is story telling through writing and illustrating and also leading bible studies and presentations. What a joy it is to create a biblical message through story and pictures. I LOVE my God given gift and calling to share God’s love and purpose for our lives through story telling for both children and adults.
Absolutely, Susan. We’re not all called to be evangelists or preachers, we’re all given gifts unique to us. It’s such a beautiful thing to see the Body at work together in so many different ways.
Thanks, Lays. It’s fantastic that you got the opportunity to deliver Operation Christmas Child boxes. It’s an amazing programme.
Thank you also for your words of encouragement. I think we all have a tendency to look at what other people are doing and think that’s more important. But God has given us each a unique call, and we’re all called to be obedient to that one call above all else.
Amen, Iola. We’re all gifted in our own way and God will use each one of us for His glory.
And yes, it’s such an amazing programme. I’m so thankful I get to be a part of it.