Most of us dislike it. We don't like taking the first step, whether in a group project, or just in conversation with people. We don't like being called "bossy" when we take the first step of initiating a team meeting in a group project or to be shot down by making the first move. I know I have complained about how tired I am to always be initiating conversations, or meetings just to get people moving along. But, what about initiating love towards someone, making the first move to care for them?
By love, obviously, if you know me personally, I don't mean the romantic love that everyone first thinks about when the "L" word is mentioned. But rather, to show care, genuine care for someone, despite who they are, or whether they are deserving of it. But through our internal struggle, to still care for someone deeply to continue to share the good news of Jesus to them, because that is what they need most now, next week, next month. The news about Jesus is the only thing that humanity needs to hear, to believe, to be convicted of, but everything in accordance to God's sovereign Will.
Through my time abroad, I saw with both my eyes, how much people cared. I saw how they were willing to sacrifice precious time for the sake of others, I saw how they wanted to spread the great news of Christ dying on the cross two thousand years ago, so that others may experience this joy in Jesus too. And I am so humbled by it. Touched by the passion and the desire to share this joy that I too, want to be apart of this mission to talk to people about how great and amazing Jesus is, how He was sinless, yet was punished as if He was the most sinful man on earth. I too, want to share the joy of how utterly confusing but incredible God's grace is.
While I often complain for having to be the one to take the first step, I am reminded that God took the first step towards men, towards me. God took the first step by sending His only Son to earth, to pay the price of sin once and for all. Would I be thankful for that with an unregenerated heart? No! I would think that I could save myself from sin and wrath by being good, by doing things with my own strength, but nothing that I've done, or I can do that will save me from my own sins. Yet, Jesus came, He taught people, He loved and had compassion on people, He dined with outcasts, He didn't commit a single sin, was completely perfect and blameless, but yet, though sinless, He was handed over to men, to people like you & I, to be crucified on the Cross because I sinned against God, and I can never save myself from it, but Jesus can, and He has paid the price for my sin.
God took the first step in reaching out to us, for without that, our hearts will never choose God, we will never want to seek Him, to praise Him, to adore Him, because we are full of sin. But we are reconciled to God through mercy, to be given a new heart, a heart the desires Him, that longs to praise Him, to tell people about Him.
I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful for God's Word, for opportunities and struggles to be putting God's Word into practice. I am thankful for support from God's people, to struggle together, but also be an encouragement to each other. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who convicts people of the Truth, who unites believers with the common love of God and His Word to the advancement of God kingdom. I am thankful for Jesus who died, but did not stay dead, instead, 3 days later, raised to life, only to never die again. That Christ's obedience to the Cross had allowed me to be justified before God. And I am thankful for God, for His grace and mercy that I do not deserve. That as each day passes, I am still a sinner but because of what Jesus had done, I can pray, directly to the Father, to beg for forgiveness, to repent, and to praise Him for His mighty works.
Hannah
