Lynn's Musings
A few days back I had the privilege of being the opening speakers at a training conference for folk who are working in Christian organisations that are committed to rescue children who are being destroyed through sexual exploitation and abuse... I was only there for a few hours but having time to chat with these champions of Gods heart of compassion humbled me enormously.It is reported that 23 million children are trafficked each year, from impoverished and underdeveloped countries...not only that but our world is overloaded with orphans who have lost parents to HIV-AIDS, war and natural disasters.The UN states that this generation of children is the most battered, exploited and abused generation that has ever lived.I am so challenged that as a follower of Jesus I have a mandate from scripture to give a response to these children... in Mark 10:14 -16 in the Message translation we read"The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very centre of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them."
I have been so challenged in my way of living how easy it is to become so absorbed with "arguments of faith"... what makes me feel comfortable...what appeals to my way of processing and doing life and I forget there is so so much more to seeing "His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven"
In Colossians 3:12 there is a challenge to us clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience.I acknowledge that I so need to understand what this word compassion truly means...one definition which impacted me was "compassion is crying out with those in pain".So much of what Jesus did was out of compassion - and his compassion was active - beyond just another another "cyber discussion"My prayer is..."Lord what would you have me do?"This is from a speech that Bono gave regarding the AIDS crisis in Africa"God is not looking for alms
God is looking for action
He is not just looking for loose change-
He's looking for tighter contact between us and our neighbour
There are 2.300 verses of scripture pertaining to the poor
History will judge us how we deal with this crisis
God will judge us even harder"
My simple prayer is..."Lord help me make a difference in the world you have called me to"
posted by Lynn Swart
at 18:29
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