Dave and I consider ourselves "global" Christians. We have a heart for the nations and daily pray that God would enlarge our vision to mirror His. We pray "big" prayers for "big" things -- e.g., that Jesus would rule as King over Poland; that spiritual strongholds would crumble at His Name; that the Bride would be prepared for His return. We host people from all over the world at our center in Ostróda and pray that lives would be changed and churches established in every nation. We meet with church leaders and people in prominent positions to discuss current world events and to pray for God's kingdom to advance. And yet, in the midst of all this, God is faithful to keep things in perspective. This summer He led us down the side streets of Ostróda to places we seldom notice as we hurry from one event to the next. Walking down roads not far from our camp, we found a former alcoholic, living in a one-room apartment, badly in need of repair; children in abusive situations, hungry for affection; and single mothers, desperate to make ends meet. "Realna Akcja" (Real Action) was a week set aside to serve the community of Ostróda. More than 100 volunteers came from several countries to join in this endeavor (including our son, Kenan, and a team from our hometown, Brighton). We cleaned and painted apartments, painted a mural for the city, led a 5-day "day camp" for 80 needy children, painted curbs and cemetery fences, and much more. Many lives were touched, both those who served and those who were served. But for Dave and myself, the week took on special meaning as we encountered the people of Ostróda on a deeper level and as we were reminded to be faithful in both the big and small things. Whether praying for the Prime Minister or scraping paint from a poor man's floor, it's all significant in the kingdom of God.
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Thanks for this Sandy. I was at church tonight just hanging out (waiting for Steve while he worked on some computers) and a woman and her special needs son came in asking for some help -- she needed lice shampoo for two school-aged girls she had at home and did not have the money for it; she could not send them to school if they didn't get treated. A couple people gave her our standard "call back tomorrow when the benevolence minister is here" answer (which is the protocol we are supposed to follow when random people come to the church during regular weekly programming asking for help, and it's not a wrong response), but I felt like her story was legit, so I took her to Walgreens and purchased the shampoo then to the gas station to put some gas in her car. When I got back to the church, several people "challenged" me on my decision to help her. I told them I just went with my gut. I honestly can't say for sure that she was telling the truth, but at this point it's between her and God. Reading your post reminded me that when we do small things unto the Lord, we are doing it for the Kingdom of God. Who knows besides Him what the results will be from our attempts to be obedient??
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