'In this world of darkness people listen to those who glow.'
My experience in Jackson, MS. was an eye opener and my heart was changed.
My time of devotions and experiences with fellow Christians reminds me of the many lessons learned in Jackson MS. And now, weeks later, from our return from Jackson we are more aware of injustice happening even in today’s society.
I ask, Can we as high school students; and as a team, make a change in this broken world?
As we go further and further from the week of service, in all that we have learned, and been equipped, is it harder to take a stand?
Sadly, our glow, our inspiration, our emotional high, maybe is slowly fading as we move about in such a secular reality that is all around us.
Today I heard a great message that strengthen and encouraged me to not loss hope.
I am reminded that prayer changes things and brings up a glow that reflects the glory of God and will attract others live differently.
Luke 9:28 is where Jesus and three of his disciples go up to the mount of transfiguration to pray. After he had finished praying, the disciples saw that His face was glowing brightly, the appearance of his face changed. Prayer doesn’t just change our appearance before others, but makes a difference from inside out. In Exodus 24 Moses also goes up a mountain. He is up there for forty days and forty nights, In the presence of the Lord. (This is when he receives the Ten Commandments) Later in Exodus 34 Moses comes down from the mountain and his face was glowing! The children of Israel saw this and were in awe and wanted to hear everything Moses had to say. They saw God through him, and knew that God was with him. Paul lets us now in 2 Corinthians 3 that Mosses' glow was fading away! Because of this he would go and be with the Lord and the glow would return to him and the people will continue to listen to what he had to say; after awhile the glow would fade away and he would have to 'recharge the glow' in the presence of the Lord. The point is that Moses knew that he needed to be recharged if he was going to affectively lead the people of Israel.
He knew that in order for things to be impacting and affecting, it wasn't just about changing things, but him being altered personally. Spending time and seeking after God gives us a 'glow' in which others will see and want. The glory of God is reflected in our lives and this brings about change in others and ourselves.
- Sam P.
This blog is dedicated to recording the thoughts and reflections of the Jackson Team. Our heart is to see God moving and to respond to his call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly.
Jackson Team 2013
ISAIAH 58:6-12
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
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