I Want to Ask Like That

Beloved of God,

Last night, missionaries who are serving overseas came to visit our small group and shared their story about the work they're doing.  Where they live, most Americans couldn't be bribed to go but here they are, a precious young family, feeling absolute conviction it is where God called them to show the love of Jesus...so they went.  

As they spoke,  a few of us were moved to tears, as we were flooded with HOPE.  As a Christian, I know of hope in our Father but have found it in short supply in the world, especially in what the media feeds us as news. It humbled me to realize that I've been making God human-sized and have not acknowledged His infinite resources or His infinite grace and mercy.  Even as I type that, it's still too big for my own limited vision and thought to comprehend.

This particular family is  providing shelter for hundreds of refugees. They spoke of how our Father is using even the evils of our world to bring new believers to Him.  In this realization,  Stateside Christians were given a glimpse of God's hand in all nations. 

When the mayor of their town asked them to help with the refugees, what struck me most was their response,

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Oh, did God do a number on me when I heard that question. It made all the difference.  So often, when we're confronted with an opportunity to serve one another, we respond with, "Here's what I can do...", "Can I bring a meal?" or we offer some other gift of our choosing.  All of these are WONDERFUL as we seek to meet the need.  They can also be said in mercy as we evaluate whether or not a receiver needs one more decision to make, like in the case of a grieving family.   When that's not applicable, however, the difference between

HOW CAN WE HELP?

and these other responses: HOW MUCH WE INVOLVE GOD.

When we offer what we HAVE, we have defined what can be done.  When we ask

HOW CAN WE HELP?

we rely on HIM to fill whatever need we have yet to hear.  We open the opportunity for GOD-SIZED provision.  Imagine if we all activated our faith in such a way we participated, even in fear and worry, in a GOD-SIZED response!

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Lord, please forgive me for trying to shrink You and fit You into my inadequate vision of everything You are. I have not seen the work that needs to be done through prayer and provision.  Help me in every area I fall short, God. In Jesus' name...amen.