Sweat made my hair stick to my neck as I shooed mosquitoes off me. Most would say, “What is a blind gal doing in this remote, rural area of Mindanao, Philippines?”
I confess, it was rough, yet my mission was to minister to those sweet people. But was I ever wrong!
I held the pastor’s wife’s arm as we walked down uneven dirt roads till we reached a small nipa hut where Mirna lived. No running water, no electricity, but joy was in her voice as she greeted us.
She drew near, gave me a hug and cupped my face in her thin hands. “Welcome, beautiful visitor,” she said as she led me to a metal bench under the scorching heat. “Sit here.”
The voices of hungry children surrounded us. Mirna’s routine was to offer them a bowl of rice, perhaps the only meal they would have all day. They sang songs, they ate, and she told them Bible stories. She filled their tummies with rice, but filled their heart with stories about Jesus.
I observed with my hearing and was moved by her joy and passion for her ministry. Before leaving to head to our next stop, I hugged her skinny, frail body. “You have so little, but you give so much,” I said.
“Oh, no,” she gave a shy giggle. “When you have Jesus, you have enough.”
I pondered on that assertion from someone who has materially nothing. But perhaps that’s the secret. Mirna possesses the richest spiritual portfolio, the wealth which she shares, and the fruit her life produces is evident.
“Thank you, Mirna,” I want to say. She taught me this truth: It’s not what we have, but what we know. We know when our possessions are gone, Jesus meets all our needs. When all falls apart, Jesus restores and renews. When loneliness knocks at the door, Jesus never leaves our side. When wounded, Jesus soothes and heals. When attacked, Jesus is the warrior who fights for us and conquers all.
Some questions to consider:
We all know these truths. But deep down, we still long for what we don’t have. Or lament what we do have. Whine about what annoys us. Complain about what disturbs us. And sadly, complete satisfaction is as elusive as snow in July.
Why is that? Perhaps answering these questions within the context in Luke 8 will reveal the reason:
1. How tight does your heart hold on to God’s Word and His Promises? “Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” (Luke 8:11 NIV)
2. How do you react when tough moments test your faith, your trust, and your convictions? “Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (Luke 8:13 NIV)
3. What do you do with worry, with distractions of this world and financial burdens? “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. (Luke 8:14 NIV)
No matter what happens, do you wake up with praises on your lips, God’s truth in your heart and trust in His promises for the day? “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15 NIV)
We may live in the nipa hut of imperfection, and the world might fall apart but we remain steady, secure and confident because we have the path to a rich, abundant life when we declare Jesus is indeed, enough!
Let’s Pray: Father, I confess I need to prepare the soil of my soul with deeper convictions, constant trust and determined to live inside the beautiful truth that Youare, indeed, enough. In Jesus’ name.
What riches does your heart long for these days?
Janet P. Eckles