God has given me new things to treasure and value since I left the US for Uganda 6 years ago. Some of the interests and things that I truly enjoyed before moving to my new ministry have, to my surprise, been replaced. I haven’t even missed American football—my favorite sport! Nor have I missed many things that my birth country’s culture suggests are necessary for fulfillment, significance, and happiness.
In Africa, I’ve discovered beauty in watching the face of an impoverished child light up after receiving a gift of clothing, in witnessing a mother as she loves and cares for her sick child, in seeing a starving child share his meager food portions with a sibling, and in hearing children express gratitude in being able to attend school.
Among the poor in Sub-Saharan Africa, I’ve gained deeper understanding of “the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:4). I have better understood how this type of loveliness, observed by pure and reverent living, pleases God more than “the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes” (1 Peter 3:3).
Though the meek aren’t exclusively found living in poverty in Africa, it’s here that I more strongly grasped that the humble are blessed and “will inherit the whole earth” (Matthew 5:5). It’s in this place that I more deeply appreciate that “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). I also found greater comfort in God’s promise that He “blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).
God provides what we need to grow in faith—including encouragement from Scripture that causes our hearts to grow in confidence and hope. By His work, we’re better primed to see beauty—and all of life—as He does.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jonah 3:1–4:11
More:
In addition to kindness, tolerance, and patience, what are some attributes of God that Romans 2:4 says we can see?
Next:
How does your view of beauty differ from God’s? How can you begin to better realize His values in your thinking and choices?
Marlena Graves on June 4, 2015 at 5:52 am
This is really beautiful and encouraging. It shows us what really matters. It really nailed me today. Thank you.
Gary Shultz on June 4, 2015 at 6:21 am
I hear it’s true that some of the people you meet pray for people in America as we continue to sink in the blindness of prosperity and complacency?
praise the lord on June 4, 2015 at 8:04 am
Revelations 3:14-19 God is speaking to the Laodicean Church and he ends with they need to repent which is the key word. He could very well direct that at the U. S. right now. I can change me You can change others. But I can prayer for those changes to come about.
In Judges we see the cycle of rebellion, retribution, repentance and restoration. Key word repentance. When they repented things went well and when they prospered they fell into rebellion. Maybe I should be grateful for trials and tribulation.
How can I realize His values in my thinking and choices? The Israelites sent out 10 men to spy out the promised land. Joshua and Caleb came back and said let’s go in and take the land. The other eight looked at all the problems and said no way. How big is my God? Do I make Him small? Do I look at all the problems and say no way? God gave Joshua 1:8 advice which still stands true today. Like Joshua I am in a battle against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. By being obedient to God and trusting Him I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with the fruit in Galatians 5:22. Am I doing the work of bringing the good news to those who need to hear it. Thank you Lord that when I fall You pick me up dust me off and encourage me and help me to change.