i sit, i wait, for the next flight out of the land of the Saviour (El Salvador). The innocent eyes of a little street girl i took a picture of, haunt me. The competing voices of Salvadorians and the smell of Campero Fried chicken (many people bring this home with them on the jet) around me, barely distract me as i stare into the screen of my computer and yet, somehow remind me of the love i have for this country and its image bearers of God.
Every time i come here, something happens deep inside my soul. Stirrings, yea, longings for a better life for all seem a plausible reality, yet only by Jesus' rule.
The thoughts in my head tempt me towards resentment for all that i possess. Echoes of the divine prophet resonate internally, "truly, I say to you, it is better to give than to receive", and "Surely as the waters cover the sea, so shall the earth be filled with the glory of the Lord". Jesus' redemptive work was for all, not just the empire of the west. Jesus is Savior to ALL!
In a few short hours i will be submerged back into my life. I want my life to count. To be able to lay a foundation for future generations to know the Glory and Greatness of God is what feeds satisfaction to my heart.
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very profound. this brings me back to the feelings i have when leaving El Sal. the thought of all I have is difficult to justify when they have so little. May the Lord use these stirrings of passion for His glory.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian, you dont know me but i ran across your blog in one of my tours through the blogsphere... very nice blog. I pastor a Calvary Chapel in Wilmington, NC.
ReplyDeleteTwo reasons i comment:
1) I spent some time in SLO back in the early 90's in my previous career... perhaps i have selective recollection, but the place still seems to me one of few places that i would 'pick' to live the rest of my life in. you are blessed! I hope it still is as pristine as i remember it!
2) I am about 4 weeks out from a trip to the Republic of Georgia to support a missions work there (and Lord willing, perhaps a church plant one day). The feelings you share echo what my daughter and i felt the last time we left there. The people there have been through so much, have so little, and yet are so wonderful and open and loving.
It all rings true - to whom much is given, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more".
blessings, clay ritter
Clay,
ReplyDeleteyes, SLO is a slice of pre-disclosed paradise! it is still beautiful even though abercrombie, victoria sectret, and stores that deceive people into buying $150 pairs of jeans (while children 3 hours from our homes die daily from preventable diseases like diarrhea), punctuate the downtown.
I'm excited to hear that you get to do that trip with your daughter... May God bless you as you lead your family and the church entrusted to your oversight....!