little ones

Like anywhere in the world, children in refugee camps are always up for entertainment that takes outside of their crammed homes and into something new. When a group of internationals like ours shows up, news spreads quickly and as soon as you start engaging with one child you should be prepared to play with all of them.

During our preparation time one morning I was reminded that Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." (Matthew 19:14) We were challenged to walk into the next camp with open arms, not resenting the chaos, but inviting the children to come and encounter Jesus.

It started with a simple game and around 20 children, but soon the amount of children doubled, maybe even tripled and it was easy to get overwhelmed. But we chose to welcome the children, to pay attention to them and value each individual. We handed out chalk and soon the road in front of the caravan homes was filled with colorful works of art. There was so much life and joy. But there was more...

We asked the children if anyone needed prayer and suddenly they started asking for prayer for their headaches, bellies, hearts, for their little brother and sister. A crowd started to form around Anna as she had the children point to where it hurt and prayed for them. Pain disappeared in the name of Jesus and more children wanted to experience whatever was happening. The Kingdom was right there and the children felt it!

Jesus knows that children are key to seeing this world transformed by the righteousness, peace and joy that is His Kingdom (Romans 14:17). Even though we were not always able to understand the children in that refugee camp and they did not always know what we were saying, God was moving that day. The joy continued and when we left the camp the children ran after our cars, cheering and laughing.

The Kingdom of God is not complicated. It comes as easy as a chalk drawing on a concrete floor, but it transforms lives forever and is here to stay. The Kingdom of God is open for everyone, especially these little ones.

an undivided heart

Psalm 86 is as much a prayer to God as it is David speaking to his own soul. David is reminding himself of who god is and calls his soul to persevere. He speaks to his soul, because he knows that emotions can lead him astray. Instead he calls on the truth of the Lord to be his guide. The Lord is the God who is good and who forgives, the one who pours out his love and covenant loyalty. The God who deals with evil uncompromisingly, yet is full of mercy and grace. So David clings to the Lord:

"Teach me your way, O Lord, because I do not trust my own and I know of the wondrous glorious ways of You, God. I will walk in Your truth, your faithfulness and sureness and reliability. Because my own heart is fickle, my own ways are weak and lead nowhere. Your way is the only way that leads to true stability in life, no matter how unpredictable they may seem or how often they lead me into the unknown."

Isn't that what faith is? Trusting that God's ways lead to life, especially when you cannot see the end of the road.

"Unite my heart to fear You name. Let all my hearts affection, everything I am concerned with, be completely focussed on You."

David knows of the inconsistency of the human heart and knows that it only finds rest and fulfilment when it is tethered to the heart of God. An undivided heart. Unafraid of the unknown and completely surrendered to God. Full of trust. Full of hope.

For this is what God does. He is all-consuming, uncompromising and abundant. His perfect way for us is an undivided heart. One heart and one way, only fearing Him and nothing else (Jeremiah 32:39). Because only the fear of the Lord will keep us from turning away from Him. Not because of fear, intimidation or oppression, but because we see Him for who He really is and we don't want to turn away anymore (Jeremiah 32:40). On the other hand God faithfully upholds the covenant He made with us and leads us into the promise, with all His heart and His soul (Jeremiah 32:41). He does not only require an undivided heart from us, but He is all in too! There is nothing He asks from us that He hasn't done before. He is so committed.

The ways of the God are not some crazy mystery, because the Bible gives us full disclosure. He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8). And if we let Him, God teaches us daily what that looks like practically. There is no unknown, no uncertainty. Your emotions may tell you you are unsettled, your heart may question if you are fully accepted or qualified, but you are not following your heart! You are following the living God. The God who does not lie and does not change His mind (Numbers 23:19). The God who knows all and who intentions are kind and just (Ephesians 1:5). The one who made a covenant of love with humanity and has set us free from sin and death. He is the beginning and the end. Steadfast. Eternal. He is love Himself. He is the one you follow.

Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

- Psalm 86:11

run towards it

I stood on a hill and enjoyed the ocean view from afar. It was beautiful. I could see the ocean spread out in front of me and saw the waves crash into the rocks. In the distance I heard them roar. And suddenly there was a still small voice saying "Run towards it."

Run towards the ocean? But the water is cold, what if I get sick? What if the waves overwhelm me? I don't want to walk back up hill afterwards! I had many good reasons not to respond to this unusual request. But I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me again. Run towards it. I was still reluctant and so He expanded. This is what your life is like right now. You look at the dreams and visions I have given you and they are beautiful and encouraging. But you cannot enjoy the full strength and magnificence of the ocean unless you dive into it and experience it. In the same way, you cannot just look at the purposes I have for you from afar, you have to step into them.

This frank comparison took me by surprise and so I made my way down to the water. I sat on the rocks to process what I had just heard and I realised it was time to stop making excuses and to put aside the fears and lies that hold me back. I took off my shoes, rolled up my pants and ran towards the ocean. Trust me, I was very aware of the other people at the beach, but the more I ran, the less I cared. As I ran I surrendered my heart to God and chose to walk in His truth. The waves swept over my feet and the water wasn't as cold as I expected. All the what if's and doubts seemed to wash away as the waves drew back and I started to dream of what it would be like to fully dive into the water.

It takes initiative to step into the purposes of God. He won't ever force us. But He calls relentlessly. Run with me. I am with you. Run towards the challenges. Run towards the things that bring you closer to me. Run towards it.