|
“And I pray that you…may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).
This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Even here in Belize, where I have been serving a short-term mission for the past month, the children are excitedly anticipating the events for Valentine’s Day 2007. What better time to talk about God’s love?
The Apostle Paul prayed that the church at Ephesus would “grasp” what God’s love for them was all about. The word “grasp” means to “take hold of firmly” or to take “possession.” Paul goes on further to say that this understanding of God’s love will lead us to the “fullness” of God.
During each of my trips to Belize, I am always impressed and astonished at the “fullness” of God that I see in the Belizean Christians. They worship God unashamedly, and I find that their zeal for God is quite contagious! Worshipping with them is always a very uplifting experience. I have often wondered how people who are so desperately poor can worship God in this manner and be so “full” of God’s Spirit.
On this recent trip to Belize, I reconnected with a woman, Gregoria, whom I met a year ago. She lives, like so many Belizeans, in an overcrowded “shanty.” Around the outside of the structure, block walls have been constructed to create a much larger dwelling. She told me that her husband began building the block walls with the intention of tearing down the little “shanty” inside when the new structure was closed in. But then tragedy struck as he was killed in a truck accident. Shortly afterwards, her teenage daughter died in a bizarre bus accident. That was four years ago and this woman has been living inside the “shanty” inside the block walls, praying and asking God to provide a roof and a floor. The Lord did send some people during this past month who brought both the finances and the human power to put the roof on. This past week, the cement floor went in. Soon the old shanty will be gone and Gregoria will have her new home.
As she gave her testimony in the service where I preached last week, I could see that Gregoria had “grasped” the idea that God loves her. She never lost faith, even though she spoke of neighbors who taunted her saying that God would never answer her prayers. It was so wonderful to hear the words of this awesome saint who held firmly to God’s love. May each of us truly grasp God’s love just like Gregoria has!
Prayer: God, help us to truly “grasp” Your love for us. We want to be filled with all the “fullness” of God and to be used mightily to share Your love with those who have not yet heard. Give us boldness and favor, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Gina Gibson
(pictured here with
two Belizean children)
Licensed Minister
Missionary to Belize
First Baptist Church
Cheyenne, WY
|
 |
-Read past thoughts-
|
