From the ends of the earth

Following Jesus is an adventure.  At times the adventures are difficult, at times exciting, and at times it feels like He just spoils us with His goodness.  Jesus provided an amazing opportunity to meet up with my cousins (who serve in Uganda) for two weeks in South Africa.  I had not seen them in over two years and had not even met my one year old twin cousins.  It was my first time in Africa, a place that holds a very special place in the hearts of many that I love.  What a joy to be there, to be with my cousins and their sweet girls and to glory in the beauty of God’s creation. 

Picnic in Hermanus

Chloe

Sophie

Picnic with Elsie and Lucy

 

Words fail in attempting to describe the beauty of His creation.  What a creative God we serve.  The beauty that He created for us to enjoy even on this fallen earth seems to point ever so clearly to Him.  It leaves me trying to imagine the beauty of a world free from sin and the fall. 

 As I stood at the southernmost tip of Africa less than two weeks before Christmas, I was struck at the vastness of the world and of the amazing expression of God's love for it.   I started my day at the tip of Africa and then flew across the entire continent of Africa.   Our pilot treated us to an amazing view of Cape Town as we ascended.  Several hours later I felt the Lord prompt me to look out my window and I realized that I was looking at the northern border of the continent of Africa.  What a view and what a privilege to get to pray over this continent.  As I prayed over Africa and looked down on places that are in desperate need of the Gospel I couldn’t help but thank Jesus for entering into our world.  Unlike me, who was merely looking from above, Jesus came down to us, He entered our mess, got dirty and walked with and among us!  And by doing so, by coming to us and entering into and taking on our sin, He saved us!  What a Savior!

 He didn’t come to save His people from Rome, He didn’t come to save us from our circumstances. He didn’t even come to save us from our pain.  He came to save us from our sins.  He came to save and deliver us from the sin that resides in each one of our hearts. He came to redeem and restore.  All we have to do is say Yes to Him.  Say Yes to the One who emptied Himself and entered into our mess so that we could know Him, know salvation and know true Life and Love.

I can think of only one response to a God like that – total and complete devotion and surrender.  This is a God I want to serve, love and obey whole heartedly.  This is a God worthy of my worship. 

This Christmas may we all be reminded of the Savior.  The Savior who came to us as a baby, who loved us enough to enter into our messy world and offer redemption, and who continues to come to us each and every day. 

Merry Christmas!