11 August 07 - 01:04
BADGE OF HONOR
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:15-17 NIV
Yesterday, Satan was doing his job on me and (saddly I admit) I let him. I'm not sure what it was. Lack of sleep. Weakness of spirit. Do you ever find yourself in a "feel sorry for me" spot and Satan just sneaks in and does his dirty work on you?
He was speaking fear into me yesterday. Which is weird for me.... because I don't have a spirit of fear. Despite my history - or maybe - because of my history - God has given me a spirit of boldness. But yesterday, Satan found a weakness of spirit and snuck in.
On my way to the street last night I called someone I love and respect very much (my little sister) and asked her what to do about this - and she said something that changed the night.
HANG UP AND PRAY!
So I did. I cried out to God all the way to the van. I confessed my heart. I released my fear and anxiety on to Him. He can handle way more than I can ... and isn't it funny how much we find ourselves holding everyday?
When a night starts out like that, you know - in your spirit - that God has great things in store. Why else would the Deceiver want to prevent you from going?
Donna popped in a CD from a very dynamic Detroit Preacher (from that very hood) and we filled the van with his voice and God's Word. We pressed forward to our goal. We drove and prayed and once again asked God to prepare the way for us. Donna senses Fall will be the time when we start talking to the girls out there... but we are always prepared to be lead by the Holy Spirit.
Then a detour. We pulled into a parking lot and Donna said, "Let's go check out this church". Outside the church were 3 men, painting and working. We walked up to skeptical faces and introduced ourselves. It didn't take long before we were in his church and welcomed to his family. We had a common bond. Christ. The women on the streets outside. This community. The love that compells us and bonds us together. 3 white girls and this black preacher.
Then, Cindy, a women in the van with us, asked the pastor if she could share her testimony. She showed the inside of her wrists to him... and for the first time I noticed the long tangled scars from 40 years of heroin abuse. I watched the tears roll how her face as she told him how she had been saved from addiction and prostitution. There was a reason why the three of us were drawn to the streets. He said only girls who knew, could preach the good news of Jesus Christ to these women.
I told Cindy later that I had never noticed her scars. She was ashamed of them. I told her they would bring women to Christ. I told her they were badges of honor. A symbol of redemption. Praise God.
There is not much that separates us (all of us) from the girls on the street. Don't you see? Sin is sin in God's eyes. Lies, unforgiveness in your heart, sexual sin, murder. It's all the same to Him. The difference is the Cross. A choice to accept a gift and live a life worth living. A decision to not live in sin, but to strive for glory. These girls don't know that Hope has a Name. That's where we get to make the difference. What am I going to do with Christ that lives within me? How am I going to thank Him for the difference He has made in my life? Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven.
Praise God Almighty!
Friends, you all have a calling. If may not be the streets. We're all wired differently. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you and make a move. Make a difference. There is a sense of urgency... don't you feel it? In the quiet of your day, don't you sense God stirring?
If you've wanted a chance to help and don't know how, please consider donating to Abide Ministries for this cause. Toilettes (small sizes), Gift Certificates for food (we make lunch bags for the girls and sometimes it's the only meal they get that day - or worse). Email me if you'd like to help. I'll arrange a time to pick up from you. Ask your fellow co-workers to contribute.
We can watch the news and fret over the state of this world.... or we can go out there and make a difference.
God Bless you and your families.
Love,
Lauren
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