This summer, I have been reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It has caused me to reflect on God's overwhelming love for me and my response to that love. I live out my Christian walk within the context of middle class America...I'm comfortable. I'm happy. I try to appreciate that all I have is from God but the reality is that I serve God from a place of safety and security.
But sometimes something happens to challenge my comfort--something prods me awake and challenges me to think (and maybe even act!) differently. Like what happened today in church. The lesson in Yuly's class was "God always keeps His promises." I believe that. Really! The Bible story was about God's promise to Abram that he would have a son. And sure enough--He did! Isaac was born. The promise that we discussed in class, though, was that God meets all of our needs. The teacher said (as I am sure I have said in the past) that our needs, like for clothing, food, shelter, will be provided by God.
What about that? Certainly God is meeting Yuly's needs right now, but what about when she was younger and in a very bad spot? And what about the foster kids that are in her class at church? How does that truth sound to them as they filter it through their life experiences? Does it make them question where was God when the bad things were happening? Do they wonder why they went hungry and yet God did not meet their needs? And what of those martyrs in Colombia (and other places around the world)? Is God meeting their needs?
Well, yes. We have only ONE need...to be reconciled with a holy God and He met that need through the blood of His precious Son. I'm so grateful that He met that need, because, truly, I couldn't meet it on my own.
It is interesting, that lesson of God meeting our needs is one I have heard (and probably taught) in church for many years. Having Yuly in our home has caused me to rethink many things. Yuly has a gigantic thirst for learning--and that includes about things that are spiritual. I have to continually go back to the God's word to see what He says about Himself--not just what I have been taught so that I can teach her accurately. When I think of the question of God meeting our needs, I look at Yuly and sadly think of all the times in her life when her basic needs were not met...yet, God, in His love, has chosen to meet her need for family. And I look forward to the day when she accepts His unimaginable gift of life through Christ.
So, yes, God met Yuly's need, and He met one of her big wants...for a family. I know that I take for granted all the so-called "needs" that God provides for us--and He allows us to have many of our wants. Having Yuly in our home helps me get a little perspective on wants and needs. And God reminds me that He is love. He loved Yuly before we ever knew her--even considered adoption. I stand amazed at the depths of God's love.
But for now, what should my response be to God's love? Gratitude, of course, for saving me, for bringing Yuly into our home, for providing food, clothing and shelter.
But I can't stop and think, ok, I've done enough for God. God continues to call me to love Him with abandon. What does that mean? God keeps His promises and I am holding on to His promise that His plans for me are good (Jeremiah 29:11) and that the Holy Spirit will guide me in all truth (John 16:13). I'm not sure what all of this will mean in my life, but I can't wait to find out!
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