We’re here – through London, to Hyderabad, into our hotel and connected to the internet – or you wouldn’t be getting this. It’s been a long trip but relatively uneventful – those are the best kind for me! Moses was let meeting us and we were stuck for awhile but he showed up. We arrived art 4:30 AM local time and got to the hotel a little after 6. We will get ready for today’s conference, eat something, and leave at 8 for a 2 hour drive there. Now just because we made it here doesn’t mean you can stop praying – it means now is the time to really start!
The blog below I wrote on the plane. I’m trying to imagine what it would be like if you came to India with me – how would it look to your eyes? What would you notice most? This is what I can come up with:
WHAT WOULD BOTHER YOU MOST?
1. The stench and trash everywhere continually assaulting your sight and smell
2. The crazy, haphazard way people drive
3. The crazy, haphazard way people live
4. Hindu shrines everywhere, even in the middle of the road
5. Beggars tapping on your car window when stopped for traffic
6. Not being able to talk to people because of the language barrier
7. Lack of clean bathrooms – lack of any bathrooms at all!
8. Food that is very spicy and often unhealthy
9. Having to use battled water always and only
10. Seeing life as having little value, especially for women and children
WHAT WOULD BLESS YOU MOST?
1. The kind, loving Christian people
2. The mild weather
3. The kind, loving Christian people
4. The beautiful women in Saris5. The kind, loving Christian people
6. The sincere desire among people of wanting to please and serve you
7. The kind, loving Christian people
8. The wonderful fruits and fruit juices prevalent everywhere.
9. The kind, loving Christian people
10. The kind, loving Christian people
Clearly the best part of India, to me, is getting to know the loving, caring believers there. They stand out in contrast to the world in which they live, but in any culture they would be a light and a joy to all around them. And that is despite the awful conditions around them. They have every reason, every excuse not to be kind, gentle and giving but they are not. They have let the love of Jesus change them. Have you? Is your love seen by others? Does Jesus get the credit for it?
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I John 3:11 11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
I John 1:23 3And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
What can you do starting today to be a more loving person, starting with those closest to you? How can you better show your family and friends the love of Jesus? If you are using your circumstances as an excuse, ask God to forgive you and commit to showing His love to all around you.