Fruitfulness and Intimacy

The best way to summarize my time here in Pemba is by quoting the following words of a worship song that we sang at Iris Mission's School.

The more I seek you-the more I find you. The more I find you-the more I love you.

I spent much of my time in Pemba seeking after God and seeking after his heart. This pursuit didn't always look the same, but it was the passion of my heart. Some moments it looked like soaking in the presence of God during worship or hearing his words of truth being expressed through various speakers. Other moments it happened as I quieted my soul near the ocean waves and listened to his voice speak to me through the beauty of nature. Still other moments it happened as I stopped to hold and pray for a child, love the person in front of me, stop to shake the hand of a beggar or lame person, pray for the sick, feel compassion for the needy, or bring a smile to someone's face by taking the time to smile at them (as well as many other ways).

Heidi has continued to emphasize the truth that fruitfulness flows out of intimacy. I have not only heard this truth with my ears, but also with my heart. God has continued to show me that everything that we do should be an expression of our love for the Lord. If we are operating out of pity, obligation, or self satisfaction instead of love, we will not truly offer hurting people what they need. We will not truly be ministering with the heart of Jesus. Galatians 5:6b says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." As a result of our faith and love in the Lord, we can bring hope to the nations. However, if we miss the importance of being filled with the love of the Lord, we will miss the calling that God has appointed for us. We can only offer the love of Christ, if we passionately pursue loving Jesus with a pure heart and also receive his pure love for us.

As I have spent more time with God this summer, he continues to transform every aspect of my life. I know that there is no turning back, but I am so thankful that he is continuing to change my heart and life so that I can effectively carry Jesus to the world-not out of my strength, but his-not out of my own love, but his.

It is my prayer that we all experience true intimacy with the Lord, and out of that place we bear much fruit.

John 15:4 "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. God bless.