Colossians 3:11 says, "Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
I have a confession. Here, in my experience with working with many people from many different backgrounds, my sin keeps getting in the way. My sin is gross, and I am realizing more and more just how much I need a savior. When Jesus walked into a room, he viewed every single person as his child, with deep love and compassion. I am struggling to love like he loved. I want so badly have eyes that see others with the transformative power of the gospel.
I often catch myself wanting to "americanize" people, or try to stuff them into my worldview. White, American, middle class, college degree (almost), female, well churched, solid childhood-this is who I am. I often expect others to pursue the same goals I have, and be transformed more into my lifestyle to find Christ. But Jesus tore down those very barriers with the cross. The call to His kingdom does not care about any of those things I just listed about myself. His kingdom extends deep into the darkest places, and cares not about the degrees you have or the color of your skin. The Lord looks at the heart. I have no power to save myself, and there is absolutely nothing I have to offer. To be embraced into his Kingdom, I must simply accept his free gift of salvation with the obedience of my whole life.
Friends, we are all in desperate need for the gospel to be carried out in our lives. That means every race, every culture, every nation, every socioeconomic status, and every religion desperately needs him. This concept is so elementary, but do I believe this at the core of who I am? Do I see myself as more deserving of His grace because of where I have come from? Now that these issues are daily in front of my face, so are the pitfalls of my sin.
Praying for a changed heart, and changed vision.
The scope of the gospel knows no bounds. Praise Him for stooping low to raise my own soul from the pit and grunge of sin.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Memphis Chronicles: Refugees
Before arriving here, I wasn't aware of what a refugee really was, or how refugees ended up in Memphis in the first place. But as I hear more stories and learn more about the system, I have found out a bit more about refugees and the incredible families that have found themselves in the middle of Memphis, Tennessee. Here is the basic process, to my understanding (so I will most likely get some things wrong!).
Most refugees have fled their home countries because of war, famine, poverty, or oppression. This is not by choice, but rather a matter of survival. They will typically flee to a refugee camp where they live in the camp for 5-20 years, and have anywhere from 50-100,000 people living in them. Conditions within the camp are usually lacking a government authority, so violence and assault are common occurrences. Food is brought in and rationed out among the people. Then, Catholic Charities, a resettlement agency, brings about 3% of the refugees into various cities in the U.S and neighboring European countries. Upon coming here, they are placed within apartments and helped to adjust to the culture, and given funds for the first three months of living. They are in debt when they arrive because the money for the flight over is on loan. Families are sometimes split upon coming over, but I believe the goal is to bring them over at once.
The obstacles they face, and the obstacles we are trying to help them with is loss of friends and family, loss of roots to cultural traditions and language, and lack of education. Their greatest need upon arrival is jobs, but also language, transportation and health care. After one year in the states, they can apply for a green cards. Then after five years, they can apply for citizenship. Usually after they have come to the states, they will never return to their homeland.
These beautiful people have taught me so much about God's provision. Their stories are often full of hardships and obstacles that I never could imagine going through. The strength of these people is constantly amazing me, and I catch myself complaining about being hot, or not having what I want to eat when I want to eat it? Most of the women I work with are single moms with 2-10 kids, and I am astounded by their ability to overcome hardship.
I want to raise awareness that God's people from all the nations are right here in our cities! When I think about it, when I die and go to heaven, I will be the minority as a white American...which is so cool and crazy to think about! My prayer this summer is that God will challenge my heart to be more like His, and that I will love His people from all over the world like He loves them.
Most refugees have fled their home countries because of war, famine, poverty, or oppression. This is not by choice, but rather a matter of survival. They will typically flee to a refugee camp where they live in the camp for 5-20 years, and have anywhere from 50-100,000 people living in them. Conditions within the camp are usually lacking a government authority, so violence and assault are common occurrences. Food is brought in and rationed out among the people. Then, Catholic Charities, a resettlement agency, brings about 3% of the refugees into various cities in the U.S and neighboring European countries. Upon coming here, they are placed within apartments and helped to adjust to the culture, and given funds for the first three months of living. They are in debt when they arrive because the money for the flight over is on loan. Families are sometimes split upon coming over, but I believe the goal is to bring them over at once.
The obstacles they face, and the obstacles we are trying to help them with is loss of friends and family, loss of roots to cultural traditions and language, and lack of education. Their greatest need upon arrival is jobs, but also language, transportation and health care. After one year in the states, they can apply for a green cards. Then after five years, they can apply for citizenship. Usually after they have come to the states, they will never return to their homeland.
These beautiful people have taught me so much about God's provision. Their stories are often full of hardships and obstacles that I never could imagine going through. The strength of these people is constantly amazing me, and I catch myself complaining about being hot, or not having what I want to eat when I want to eat it? Most of the women I work with are single moms with 2-10 kids, and I am astounded by their ability to overcome hardship.
I want to raise awareness that God's people from all the nations are right here in our cities! When I think about it, when I die and go to heaven, I will be the minority as a white American...which is so cool and crazy to think about! My prayer this summer is that God will challenge my heart to be more like His, and that I will love His people from all over the world like He loves them.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Memphis Chronicles:Two Week Mark
After two weeks here, I am really unsure about what has happened thus far. It has been a blur, and feels like I have been here for two months. Everyday I feel like I am in a different country, and not just one country, but multiple countries at once. I am learning so much about various cultures, religions and languages. My heart has been heavy to understand what my role is within all of this.
One major theme the Lord keeps throwing at me is the discipline of prayer. Do I pray with expectancy that the Lord is going to work in the hearts of my new Muslim friends? Do I pray with fervor for the gospel to be made known in the darkest places of the world? Do I trust John 14:13 that says, "Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in my name, I will do it." Do I pray for that "anything"? Do I trust him?
"How would our world change if all our prayers were answered?"-anonymous
One major theme the Lord keeps throwing at me is the discipline of prayer. Do I pray with expectancy that the Lord is going to work in the hearts of my new Muslim friends? Do I pray with fervor for the gospel to be made known in the darkest places of the world? Do I trust John 14:13 that says, "Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in my name, I will do it." Do I pray for that "anything"? Do I trust him?
"How would our world change if all our prayers were answered?"-anonymous
Friday, June 1, 2012
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