Our God is in the business of miracles, isn't He? How else can we explain the "heroes" of the Bible like David (the adulterer), Moses (the doubter), Samson (manipulated by a prostitute), Peter (famous for putting his foot in his mouth), and so many others? Moreover, how can we explain why God - who needs NOTHING and NO ONE - chooses to use us to accomplish His plans and bring about His Kingdom? It's one of the most beautiful mysteries of the Christian life - that our perfect God works miracles of transformation in the hearts, minds, and lives of the people He calls to be His children. When I think of miracles, and of the craziest dreams I hope to see come true in France, I think of sweeping transformation. I think of revival and new life filling up quiet museums of churches, of French people embracing the rich faith tradition woven throughout their history and coming back to Jesus Christ. My dreams for revival in France can be completely summed up by the lyrics of Page CXVI's song "Wash Me Clean." In particular...
In those days
His Son will save
His Spirit will pour
on all who call on the Lord
In those days
His Son will save
His Spirit will fill
Empty jars of mud and clay
To me, these verses speak of a future hope, of a time where God will fill His children with the power of His Spirit though we are only humble vessels. They speak of people turning back to the Lord, crying out to Him, and calling on Him to save them. As touching and meaningful as these verses are, it's really the next one that moves me to tears.
In these days
Barren field will sprout trees
The deaf and blind will hear and see
The dead will raise and begin to breathe
To me, this verse brings my dreams into the present - it is in THESE days that God will bring revival, rebirth, and sweeping change to France. Places that were formerly deserted and lifeless will be full of new growth - God will bring the seeds planted by many generations of faithful people to fruition. People that were formerly deaf to the truth of the Gospel and blind to God's presence in this world and their lives will finally experience Him and understand He is real. People who were spiritually dead in their sins will come back to life through the saving grace and sacrifice of Jesus! Nothing is more beautiful to me than this image of a France radically transformed by the love and Gospel of Christ, and this vision is one of the forces helping me to keep persevering in hope for the salvation of my French friends.
Thank you so much for your prayers - in our first week on campus God has already done many miracles, and we have felt Him intervening in powerful ways to direct our conversations and give us opportunities to love people and share truth with them. A more detailed update on our first week on campus (as well as our first Agape group meeting) will hopefully be coming soon! I love you all and am so grateful for your support. Thanks for hoping and praying for miracles alongside me!
In these days
Barren field will sprout trees
The deaf and blind will hear and see
The dead will raise and begin to breathe
To me, this verse brings my dreams into the present - it is in THESE days that God will bring revival, rebirth, and sweeping change to France. Places that were formerly deserted and lifeless will be full of new growth - God will bring the seeds planted by many generations of faithful people to fruition. People that were formerly deaf to the truth of the Gospel and blind to God's presence in this world and their lives will finally experience Him and understand He is real. People who were spiritually dead in their sins will come back to life through the saving grace and sacrifice of Jesus! Nothing is more beautiful to me than this image of a France radically transformed by the love and Gospel of Christ, and this vision is one of the forces helping me to keep persevering in hope for the salvation of my French friends.
Thank you so much for your prayers - in our first week on campus God has already done many miracles, and we have felt Him intervening in powerful ways to direct our conversations and give us opportunities to love people and share truth with them. A more detailed update on our first week on campus (as well as our first Agape group meeting) will hopefully be coming soon! I love you all and am so grateful for your support. Thanks for hoping and praying for miracles alongside me!
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