YOU know me.

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1

Imagine for a moment what has transpired throughout your life since your conception.  When and where you were baptized; where you went to school, what your favorite subjects were and how closely you walked with Christ during those years; if you were like me your path was full of zigzags that took you off course for a period of time.  There were many lessons learned in our early years, how to crawl, walk, eat, talk, read and trust.  Now take a good look at this child who attends the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe.  Imagine what has taken place in her life since conception.  Her steps have been no doubt been different than yours but still very similar; we all have strayed now and then away as we are tempted by this world.  Each of us in not an enigma to God; He has known each of us since conception and consequently, He does not reject or despise us.  Rather, He begins now to re-create each of us in His own lovely likeness; we are His children.

He placed you here to read this devotion and think about sending a quarter to Trinity/HOPE to feed this child for one day as she learns about a loving Triune God who cares deeply for her.  At this point in your journey He has presented you with an opportunity to feed this child, or a couple of children or perhaps their school.  It is amazing to see how the hand of God has touched our lives and we in turn will accomplish His work by touching the life of this child in Haiti.  I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Take my life and let it be’ which was written by Frances Havergal in 1874.

“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.  Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love; take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.  Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King; take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.  Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold; take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose.  Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne.  Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure-store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all, for Thee.”

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

May God be with you…Jay