Today's message in church really made me think about Jesus statement. The message really was just about how the speaker had a friend that he had never shared his faith with. It started by showing the horrible child sex slave trade that exists and talking about a specific girl that was sold into this lifestyle. It kind of made me look hard and ask myself some deep questions though. I have had two friends in particular that I led to Christ. Then after I had planted the seed, answered many questions and got their compass headed the right direction I moved on somewhere else. Many years later I learned that I had planted the seed, others had watered them and God had made the seed grown inside both of them. (Guess I can relate to Apostle Paul in that regard). Both the friends I had left behind are still actively involved with God and with a deep faith. That makes me smile that I could be used as a tool of God.
Then Deeper yet.... I think of my time working with the homeless ministry in downtown Baltimore. My friend Linc recently reminded me of this time. Some of the worst down and out stories, young children wearing rags and glad to get a good meal in this week. I think of the children in Haiti, Vietnam, India that are bought from their parents for pennies and enslaved as either menial labor, or sexual objects to be used and thrown away. I think of the pictures our friends shared from Kenya where people live in small shacks with no windows doors, furniture or even floors. A river behind the village is the sewer. And then I look at my life. I've live in relative luxury compared to 90 percent of the worlds population. I wonder why. There is so much darkness in the world, and when you look hard enough you can almost be swallowed up by it.
I guess you just have to be focused on the light of Jesus, and be willing to share some of that light with others. Our friends go to Kenya every year to help over 100 children in a school there. They get two meals a day, clothing and an education as a result of the efforts of churches and people that are willing to shine God's light in their direction. The homeless ministries shine Jesus light to the downtrodden by providing a meal, some clothes, and just some encouragement. There are so many ways to shine his light but I've been sitting on the sidelines for a few months now just basking, and not reflecting. Think I need to start looking for some shadowy targets of my own.
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