We each have the opportunity to be a missionary, whether in a foreign country, or our hospital bed. Pastor Chris shares his reflections on how this is Christ-like.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
My wife and I have a heavy burden for those who suffer. At the time of writing this devotion in fact my wife is away with a team of women supporting a ministry to ease the suffering of desperately poor families in Haiti. They are building classrooms, bringing supplies, and training and equipping families to live in healthier ways to prevent disease in the context of their poverty.
In talking about this trip with a missions-minded member of the church that I serve as pastor, I learned that this women has a deep desire to go on a medical mission trip in the future to ease the suffering of those in pain. She is a dental professional and has a burden for those who suffer from systemic infection in third world countries due to a lack of dental hygiene and health.
When we see the suffering of others we want to go to them and help. We want to run to them with supplies to ease their suffering in this life–and with the Gospel–to offer them hope for the life to come.
The author of compassion in us does not lack in compassion for us. In a very real sense God is the supreme missionary! He left His throne on High, clothed in human flesh in Christ and brought us salvation and eternal hope. He is still coming to us now in our pain, in our suffering, offering hope, love, and life.
Those poor people my wife is serving in Haiti cannot come to us so that we can supply their needs. We, who have resources, must bring it to them.
Thank God that while I cannot reach high enough to grasp Him He has descended low in Christ to bring the supply of mercy and grace that we need in our pain. “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalms 36:5)
Prayer: Almighty and loving Father, teach me to trust in your loving ways; always deepening my trust in You and depending upon Your strength in my pain. Amen.
About the author:
Chris Surber is the Pastor at Cypress Chapel Christian Church in Suffolk, Virginia. He is a religion columnist for the Suffolk News Herald and a contributor to various Christian publications. You can his website at http://www.chrissurber.com
Are you seeking God or is He seeking you? Are you given over to His love that He brings or looking for Him?
As this song “One Drop” by Plumb says, we all need each other. In whatever way you reach out to a loved one–or a total stranger–the smallest things we do can change someone else’s world. Don’t ever think that you aren’t good enough, healthy enough, fast enough, knowledgeable enough. God wants us to be completely His and He will teach us what He needs us to know. -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 