We are blessed to go to an amazing church that teaches uncompromising truths while offering compassion for people. It was quite a journey to finally landing at Highpoint Church, but for the first time in a long time, we know we have found our home. We've been at HP since October 2008 and the worship is unparalleled and the teaching is too. Walking away each week, we feel challenged and encouraged. This week was no exception.
Our lead pastor was teaching his final sermon in the series "Forgotten Jesus: Rediscovering the Untamed Savior". This week's message was "Move from Cautious to Courageous". Okay, well, this was us as we began this adoption journey to say the least! We're not ones who normally jump right into anything. We research and plan and prepare. God was asking us to do something bold. Crazy to some. It doesn't make sense, but He was calling us to it and we (hesitantly and even with a little reluctance) said 'okay God, we trust you' and began this journey. It certainly wasn't a cautious invitation; it was a courageous invitation!
One of the things that really resonated with us was the verse: Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is great, but the workers are few". There are many harvests that can be worked, but a huge one is the harvest of the hearts of the world's orphans. There are an estimated 147 million orphans in the world (that is a modest estimate; it is likely there are even more). Why is that? How is it that there are more than 600 million "christians" in the world and the number of orphans continues to rise? I can't help but think about the days as the Director of a Children's Ministry when we struggled to get volunteers to help with the children. People sure didn't mind dropping their children off, but ask them to work, do something, anything, contribute and you're met with a thousand different excuses. Well, folks, it's time to DO SOMETHING!!! Can't adopt an orphan? Feed one: there are hundreds of world hunger campaigns out there who would love your $35 a month to feed a family. How about donating to someone's adoption? There is a donate button right here on our blog or contact Holt International and make a donation (and you can even have it go towards our adoption of Zoe if you wish). I shudder to think of the times we read a verse about serving others and, yet we look the other way. I need to give a big Thank You to my pastor for bringing the heat this week even when it is uncomfortable. The harvest is great, but the workers are few. We're looking for some workers.
Here are a few verses that were instrumental to bringing us to the point of jumping in and deciding to be courageous instead of cautious:
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." - Ephesians 3:20
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families. - Psalms 68:5-6
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. - Matthew 18:5
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. -James 1:27
Oh, and how cool is it that I received yet another photo of Zoe today? She's a cutie, but that hair is going to need some work!
I have often wondered the exact same thing. How can there be so many Christians and so many orphans! And you're right...it's like pulling teeth to get people to help in the children's ministry here. The sad thing is, there are SO many rewards that come from seeing their sweet tender hearts turn toward Jesus!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to be courageous! Needed that!