Recently, I felt called to reach out to the nations in North Africa. There was a conviction in my heart to see what God wanted me to see and learn there. Scenarios swarmed through my head, I was excited and curious, “What did God want me to do there?”
Then I saw a picture of a North African brother waving at me, shouting, “Come have fellowship with us. We are children of God too, please share the message of the Kingdom of God to our nations as well.”
This became an encouragement for the calling. Throughout the years, I have learned that having fellowship and building communities can lead to love and hope. God wants to spend time with His children and build disciples with a heart for Him. He wants genuine conversations along with the gospel so that something powerful can happen- people get transformed.
Ten years ago during one of the toughest rugby games, the frustration of potentially losing led me to attempt to slightly injure the best player in the opposing team. It wasn’t able to distract the team as we lost the game that day. As I went to the changing rooms to cool off, a man stormed in hysterically accusing me of foul play. I was ready to defend myself until the captain of the opposing team put his arm around my shoulders and told the man to back off and leave the players changing rooms.
It occurred to me that the other team knew I committed a foul play yet was still willing to protect me without any obligation. I was lost for words as the captain proceeded to invite me for drinks with their team and cool down with them. Not only did they now have my respect but I realized when people are willing to reach out and exude genuine grace, something changes from within. Later, I went out in search of the man that yelled at me and apologized for my actions. What that captain did was a great example of what the Kingdom of God could be like on Earth- people full of love, grace, and understanding.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
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