His Hands and Feet

  His Hands and Feet

“What we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

In the hills of Kentucky I found a hidden gem. A place of community like I had never seen before. Even growing up in a small town this still didn’t compare to the tight knit community of Martin County Kentucky. The surprise was that this county was once considered the second poorest in Kentucky in 1964 when President Johnson declared the war on poverty. But I  found it to be one of the richest I have ever seen. On a Thursday night the locals would gather for some Bluegrass music that took me straight back to my roots in a heartbeat. The sounds of the laughter and locals dancing on the floor made me miss my Southern home. Even among all the richness of a tight community was something even more present. The places where they lacked was where God filled in. The faithfulness of God could be seen everywhere! Appalachian Reach Out is the ministry we partnered with and their mission is to be Christ’s love in action through being His hands and His feet and His heart to love others. It was something I witnessed first hand as I got to step into it for a few days during a recent mission trip. Even that word mission was on my heart as I was setting out to see what God had for us. It is our mission for others to know Jesus and his love for them. But even more so God showed me His mission to love in a way that was reflected in a staff that poured out their hearts in a way that reflected the Light of Christ. Not only the staff of ARO but the people that I met within the community that shared the fellowship of Christ. What I saw and heard will forever be etched within my mind and heart and coming home left me thankful to see what the faithfulness of God looks like.

Not anything about them but all about glorifying the Lord in everything they did.  Loving people that had lost everything. Loving people stuck in addiction. Loving kids that didn’t always know where their next meal was coming from. Loving people so people could know Jesus. 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

What would it look like if we lived our lives every day as the Hands and Feet of Jesus?

One thing about going on a mission trip is that being in a place of seeing God work and coming home can always lead to feelings of let down. That spiritual high can quickly be dimmed as we step back into our routines. In fact that is exactly what the enemy is hoping we do. He will question  everything God calls us to do. He does this all the time. He wants us to forget that the Living Spirit dwells within us. That we are the Living Word going out unto the nations because God chose to step into flesh. Jesus lived on earth so that we could receive the freedom and die to ourselves each day and remember that we are fully equipped for whatever God calls us to. We bear the Mighty name of Jesus. So I should ask myself each day,  “Lord, what are you calling me to do and say today to be that extension of your Hands and Feet so that others can know the love of Jesus?” 

Jesus,

You were so evident there in that place. From the faces of Joy that resonated on those women in that recovery center. As we gathered there to have church with them I witnessed the tears streaming down their faces and hands lifted high as we sang, “I Know a Name.” Jesus you are the only name that brings freedom and healing. We carry your name. Everyday is an opportunity to look into the faces of those people that don’t know you and share our stories of you bringing us from darkness to light. So Jesus help us to glorify you in all we say and do. 

Amen