“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” I Corinthians 6:19-20
Randy Moore is a friend who is a nurse. When the earthquake struck Haiti, he went down to offer his services. Randy was so struck by the needs and so attached to the people that he found it hard to leave. He hopes to stay in the country at least two more months. Our daughter, Karlyn, and a group from school plans to leave at the end of the month to assist with the overwhelming needs still present in Haiti.
Reading Randy’s stories and thinking of God’s heart for the poor and the suffering, I imagine internal conflict is common. “I’m tired, Lord. There’s too much to be done, Lord. I don’t think I can go on, Lord. I see the needs, Lord, but is healing possible?” He gently reminds us, “You’re not your own; you were bought at a price. My grace is sufficient. Be filled with my Spirit and share my love.”
We met a couple in Riobamba who left their home in Canada to take care of orphans in Ecuador. They had ten children of their own at the time and some would say they were foolish to go to a foreign land with no friends and no support. But that’s what they did and for the past fourteen years they’ve taken care of over 450 children.
Glenda and Ron would say they were hippies who found Jesus and knew they were to spread his love to those who didn’t know him. They’ve experienced God’s grace, God’s provision, and God’s miracles. But the journey has not been easy. Besides the normal work of changing diapers, feeding babies, and raising children, they’ve experienced the opposition Satan creates when someone wholeheartedly says “yes” to the Lord.
So how do you deal with fatigue, discouragement, worry, or any of the other things that come against mind, body, or spirit? We must go to the Giver of Life.
“Yes, Lord, I am yours, but I’m not sure I can make it. Please give me the energy I need, the courage I need, the attitude I need, and the love I need to do what you’ve called me to do.” No one understands this prayer better than Jesus. He poured his heart out to his Father in the Garden and God gave him everything he needed to complete his journey. And now Jesus lives to intercede for us.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20