“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
What do you imagine is really important to the child in the attached photo? This young girl attends the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian and on this day was visited by a Trinity HOPE mission team and received a bracelet that was used to help tell the story of our Triune God. What is really important to the life of this child?
She no doubt lives in a neighborhood where the vodou drums are pounded in the evening and animals are sacrificed. She no doubt has some members of her family that still visit the local vodou priest in hopes that they can receive healing or an answer to a problem that is happening in their lives. She has probably heard that gangs are moving into her neighborhood. What is really important to the life of this child?
She has heard the Gospel message; this little lamb is saved. Her light is being refueled to shine brightly in a neighborhood of darkness. The cupboard in her house is most likely empty each morning but she is being fed at school every day. Her light is shining brightly as she takes the message of the Triune God into the neighborhood of doubt and fear. In the same manner as she hears the Word daily, she, and us continue to ‘do what it says’ as we continue along on our earthly journey doing His work and answering His call. In 1834 Edward Mote wrote the words for the hymn ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ and as you read those words, consider her life, your life and what our Savior accomplished for us and continues to accomplish through us.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. His oath, His covenant, and blood support me in the whelming flood; when every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found; clothed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay