Give Me Jesus

I got a text from my daughter Catie last week after I got back from India that said, “I’m praying for you as you unpack… far beyond your suitcase!” I’ve been back a week now, and I have really come to appreciate that text. That was a great prayer, and I can’t help but wonder, “Is that really my kid that came up with that!”

It has been just over a week, and I’m longing for India, and still having to process through all that I saw and learned. I came back from Uganda 2 years ago, and had the same residual feeling that carries with me today. There is something about stripping away all of life’s distractions, and just being around people that have a genuine interest and desire to learn more about God and the Bible. It is exhilarating!

I was reading through Luke chapter 10 this week, where Jesus sends out the 70, and He sends them out two by two ahead of Him to every city He was going to be visiting. They go out, and when they come back in verse 17, it says they are filled with joy and so excited! I can really relate to that feeling; it is exhilarating to be on mission with Jesus!

But in verse 20, Jesus says something that really captured my attention; He says, “Don’t rejoice over the experience you just had, instead, rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

You know, it is easy to get excited about good experiences and to be frustrated by bad experiences. But at the end of the day, Jesus says celebrate the hope that you have in Him. My mind is processing through what and how to share what I learned, thinking about the next steps, and how to build on all those great new friendships and relationships. These are all important, but at the end of the day, I can find rest in my identity in Christ.

I hope you know Christ personally, and can experience daily the peace and joy that can only come from Him. If that is something you long for, check out www.peacewithgod.net or drop me a note. Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

On the journey together,
Richard