Five Minute Friday: Grit

It's link up time with Lisa-Jo and friends at The Gypsy Mama. We write for five minutes just for the fun of it. Today we're writing on: Grit.

Go:

Oh Christian, pure hearted and brave. Turn your face to the world like a flint. Refuse to be corrupted, determine to be compassionate. The way is tough and obstacles block your way. Tripping over pride, betrayal, hate, poverty, suffering your knees get scraped and bruised.

Jaw set, you bend to comfort the helpless, stretch an arm around the lonely sitting in the pew, confront the lies and injustice so prevalent. And who laughs or sings like you, the happiest in the world, because you know a secret. This life is not all there is, a better one's to come!

The journey isn't easy, warrior, but what a privilege to follow so great a Savior. And in one deep breath the memory of this hard climb will pass, as ragged feet and weary limbs cross over into perfect rest and reward.

"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Hebrews 12:12-13

Stop.

It takes a lot of grit to follow Jesus. The path of righteousness leads us in a direction opposite the flow of society and often the way is lonely and hard. But we have a Companion on the way that cheers and strengthens. The word grit brought to mind the missionary biographies I grew up reading. Truly Hudson Taylor, Amy Charmichael, Eric Liddel and the like were gritty Christians. They walked their faith out in sweat and sacrifice and I'm thankful for their example.

Who in your life is a gritty Christian, setting the example of tenacious faith?

All for Love

My heart wanders the halls of an institution I've never been to. Images of ragged children, too small, and vacant eyed impose themselves over the ordinariness of my day. Brokenness tangible, in flesh and bone. 

The situation for Serbia's orphans is slowly beginning to improve, in the capital city especially. Once closed, the door of adoption for these little ones is opening wider, laws are changing. And yet in rural areas small children are still neglected. Disabled children are denied medical care, deemed unworthy. 

When I look into the eyes of my crying toddler, arms reached to her source of comfort immediately I think of tiny ones with no mommy to cry out too. Left alone in cribs, their hearts sinking in on themselves. As I shush my curly haired beauty my heart whispers to hidden babies, "hold on, I'm coming."

Suffering compels. It's what gets the tennis shoes on and the plane ticket bought, it turns divinity into human DNA, a midnight visit to a manger, finishes the work on a rugged cross. Suffering begs for a response, and we've been set the example. 2 Samuel 22:7,10-11, “In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice;  my cry came to his ears... He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind." Love comes when we call.

My husband says I'm obsessed. He may be right, but I'm not sure I'm ready to apologize for it yet. Without a bit of obsession I would turn back. The hurdles of getting from here to Serbia take my breath away. But, we're on a rescue mission, all of us. And rescue missions are costly, demanding time, money, comfort, etc. In God's case, his rescue mission, his obsession ended in the loss of his Beloved, all for his little ones. So, maybe I'm obsessed or maybe I'm possessed. The heart of the gospel is rescue, my life for yours, love poured out, and that love indwells me, compelling me to imitate.

My dream is to form a team to go to Serbia to touch and care for orphans in any way we can. There is so much to be done. One thing I'm learning about rescue missions; to be accomplished they take unity. Even God's rescue is a partnership, it's the Father's mercy that compels, the Son's blood that covers, the Spirit's power that accomplishes. The same is true for us, missions are accomplished when we unite in purpose and devotion.

Will you join in praying? Pray that doors will be opened to go, people will be moved to join in, and resources will be provided. But mostly pray that we will have hearts like Jesus and that little lives, so broken, would respond to love poured out. Let's pray that the church of Jesus everywhere will reach out in courageous love.

How can I pray for you? Who are you burdened to love, where are your feet taking you in the name of Jesus?

Five Minute Friday: Delight

I love linking up on Friday's with other writers pouring their hearts out for five minutes over at The Gypsy Mama. Today we're writing on: Delight.

Go:

Yesterday I wrote about the path of sorrow that winds throughout our life. How appropriate that today I should counter it with delight!

There is a path where delight bounces it's radiance like diamonds scattered about with joy. A path where the kiss of righteousness and peace (Psalm 85) spread a blush of life.

What delights a soul like the warmth of being a one true love, the prize? Where does laughter ripple like a waterfall flowing down in joy, from the heights of charity to the depths of humility, splashing down on humanities parched soul with refreshing hope?

There's a path, obscure to some, and often intersecting the marshy land of sorrow. It's name is the Way of Salvation, and it's governed by the Prince of Peace.


"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord our God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you." Psalm84:10-12

Stop

Yesterday I wrote that God has made a provision, and even extended the invitation, of mourning. That provision of comfort for our sorrow is found in his presence, it's an invitation to dwell and know his heart. That's equally true of joy. What brings true, full, we-were-meant-for-this joy? His presence. Amazing, he's the one who comforts our souls, delights our hearts, gives peace to our day, restores our minds, illuminates our path, is kind to our children, assures us of justice, covers us with righteousness, shares his glory, withholds no good thing by inviting us into his very presence.

Is there any other response than worship? Let's worship, right now, friends!