Often I feel like my job can be compared to trying to keep wild animals from being lured away and trapped. Statistics say 77%-85% of students who grew up in a church walk away from God when they get to college. Yesterday I heard, "I dont think I believe in God anymore. I don't know, I'm confused." Students struggling with same sex attraction, porn, eating disorders, cutting... Trying to find idenity in the adoration, accpetance, admiration and approval of others. Shame, guilt, fear... Where is the hope? Hope for them? Hope for me that my labor is not in vain? I want to send laborers. God's Word tells me only He does that yet uses the willing. I want to be a broken vessel used for His purposes, whether noble or common. I want to see students living life abundant which will only happen when they live Radical for Him. Lured and caged is not abundant, yet it entices. The ability to live radical, on mission, is buried beneath so much shame, guilt and fear. So where is the hope for them? For me? Hope is found in the Lord and the truth about Him is found in His Word. I persevere because He promises my labor is not in vain. Through Scripture I see Jesus, the very fullness of God in my same shoes. Weeping for the people. Wanting to wrap His arms around them as a hen gathers her chicks, if only they were willing. Through Scripture I see Jesus and I find .... "...that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 His grace is sufficient and that His power is perfected in weakness. God's Word reminds me to be content with weakness, with insults, with distresses, with difficulties for His sake. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 Him saying "in the world you will have troubles, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 God's Word is alive, active, soothing my soul. He reminds me He loves these students more than I do. He knows the number of hairs on their head. He knows everything about them, the thoughts they think, the feelings they feel and He knows how to keep them. He promises, He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. Phil. 1:6 His Word is like water to my soul. I can't believe we get to live here, now, with access to His life-giving, soul-refreshing truths. God's Word fosters perseverance. For me. For you. For the Rumba people. "In recent years, the Rumba communities (in South Asia) have stopped growing their own food because elephants and pigs routinely ruined their carefully planted gardens. Outsiders have taken advantage of the isolated area with rich soil and encouraged many people to grow opium. The new cash crop, however, is exacting a high price on the Rumba culture as it deteriorates the very fabric of their society through drug addiction and alcoholism." 1 The Rumba people are discouraged. Their hard work destroyed again and again. I know that feeling. Investing in a students lives only to see them lured and caged by the Enemy. Just as God's Word gives me hope. So will it for the Rumba people. God's very Words will show them truth leading to much needed perseverance. The only thing, is that it's not available to them... yet. One Verse is doing a language project for the Rumba people. They are translating God's living and active word into the Rumba peoples language. Hope! And the awesome thing about One Verse is that they make a way for you and me to buy a verse to be translated for the Rumba people! We actually get to be part of giving hope to the broken hearted in need of Living Water and the Bread of Life. Jesus, the One they will find through the pages of Scripture. What is a verse that has encouraged you to not give up? Why not pay for that verse to be translated for the Rumba people? It's always so exciting to me to think about how God is being made known all across the world through our partnership! Awesome! Link up your posts that Brag On God and put a link to this list or put my button code (found under the Brag On God Fridays Tab) on your post for people to find other awesome stories of how incredible God is. Inspired by Michelle at Nebraska Graceful, I am going to choose a few posts of those who linked up to highlight on Thursday. Honored to partner with you in Bragging on our Laminin-Maker God! Linked with Spiritual Sundays
10 Comments
God has given you a heart for these young people. It seems to ache for them as His does. Nothing you do out of love is ever in vain, whether they all receive it or not...just keep loving them and praying for them. God promises we will reap what we sow...sow love in their lives and it will grow. He has put you there as a light for Him...be of good courage:)Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap a reward for your labor.
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Judy
9/9/2011 11:50:00 am
Hi,
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Hi Laura - this is such a timeous post for me. My daughter is finished with school, started studying and then working and has been to church once since leaving school. I can see her finding other things to invest her time and interest in and I pray more for her now than ever before. But I love how you say, God knows them, every hair on their head and He loves them and will complete the good work He started. Great post and great link-up.
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Tracy, thank you so much for your encouragement. It really encourages us to know moms are praying for these students, so much hope.
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9/13/2011 05:07:10 am
Laura, thank you so much for sharing about the Rumba people and how OneVerse is partnering with them. There's no doubt about it - God's Word meets us in our place of need. Thank you for relating to the needs the Rumba people have, and helping tell their story.
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