What motivates me? What am I passionate about? My love for my children and grandchildren and my desire that they all arrive in Heaven. That they experience Kingdom living now for eternity. Many years ago during a sermon, with weariness in my soul, I whispered this sentiment to God and He whispered back – “So do I”. I heard Him express His longing not just for my children or His chosen people but that ALL His children might join Him in Kingdom living now for eternity. At that moment I was convicted of my selfish narrow-sighted view and work of loving my children to heaven. Teaching, training, serving, caring, LOVING them first – only and more than ALL His children. Love you more is a phrase from the song by Matthew west that we share in our family often. If you haven’t heard the song he basically talks about how Jesus loves us more than the sun and stars He taught us how to shine – we are His and He asks that we shine for Him in this broken world. I have been hiding His light in me under my own roof. I am called to shine His love to ALL His children so we might all enjoy Kingdom Living today for eternity. Who are His children? Sounds like the familiar question of a Bible Expert, Who is my neighbor? Anyone in need of Mercy (Luke 10:37) Where am I to shine? (Philippians 2:14-16, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Cor 4, Deuteronomy 11) God has commanded us to remember to love Him first, remain in His Love, Obey His commands and Serve Him. If we are faithful to do so His love will shine through our acts of justice and mercy (compassion) walking humbly through our common life -rest, work, & play will all be acts of worship and bring Him glory and joy as His children join Him in His Kingdom today. Our family verse is Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
What motivates you?
Do you know someone who needs to be shown His mercy? Is His Church ‘a safe place for the sick, the
sinner the scarred and the prodigal”? These
are the questions I have asked myself since that day many years ago when I
realized His light in me was not just for my house or this church. His children are everywhere, in here and out
there, and it is time that I took His light out from under the roof and obey the
2nd greatest commandment to love those in need of mercy and let it
shine through everyday living – common compassion. Thankfully, God knew I needed a partner
for courage and the ability to see a need and fill a need. Together, Dean and I work to be available to
listen and respond in our home, our church, our workplaces, and now more than
ever our neighborhood with childcare, words of encouragement, meals, and sharing
whatever one has need.
As Compassion Catalyst for the General
Wesleyan Church, I am training and collaborating with leaders to love those in
need of mercy.
