Hello from Kenya!
I had a difficult time deciding what to write my blog about this week. I really wanted to share what we have been doing at the school, hospital, and IDP camp but I feel like God is telling me to share what he has been teaching me.
It seems like intimacy with God and pursuing God continually come up during group discussions, devotionals, and reading books. Most recently I was reading in the book of Matthew (20: 29-34) the story about two blind men. In the story it explains that Jesus was waking by where two blind men were sitting. Both knew who Jesus was and knew that if anyone could heal their blindness, that Jesus could. So both men began shouting out to Jesus, “Son of David have mercy on us!” The crowd around Jesus tells both men to be quiet but they refuse and continue shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” I love what happens next. Jesus comes over to them and asks them what they would like him to do. Obviously, Jesus knows they want him to restore their sight but he still asks them, what do they want. Of course, they ask him to heal their sight in which Jesus does. Immediately after they are healed, both men get up and continue to follow Jesus.
There are so many principles that can be learned from this story. But for me what sticks out is the part on how the men had to call out to Jesus and specifically ask him what they wanted him to do. This is key to intimacy with God. First, God wants us to pursue him. He is always their fighting for us and waiting to communicate with us but we have to initiate the conversation. Therefore, I have been trying to take time everyday to just have a conversation with him. Secondly, God wants us to be honest with him. He wants to know how feel, what is on our mind, and he wants us to cast it all on him (1 Peter 5:7). We must remember that God does not want us to be hypocrites or be fake with him. God can definitely handle any feelings or problems we may be having.
Since I have had this mindset during my time with God, I have been able to hear him more clearly and see how God is molding me according to His will. I’m super excited!
Sam (Isaiah 61:1)
