“It felt very strange being in the UK with its abundance of food and other "stuff" flowing out of every shop and website. All the time knowing what millions were experiencing in Africa. Even in Nairobi we have access to plenty of goods to buy. Yet only a flight away in the same country so many are suffering.”
MAF Pilot Adrian Rose
How much has God blessed you? I generally have many images I keep close to my heart. That of the man I was without Him, the man I am with Him and the man I could be through Him. Another is my fiancée who I have waited long to find. My father’s cancer that miraculously vanished. The smile of a man who had a damaged knee for tens of years who was healed one Sunday. The images are too numerous to mention.
I keep them close because when the world closes in and my God seems far away, I can look to and see His goodness and re-enter His presence once again. They are one of many things that keep my faith strong, for it is easier to have faith in the Future He is providing when looking at His works to date.
But there are other images that I do not hold as close but in truth are even more important. A supermarket a short walk away. Public transport. Free medical care. A good education. A great job. Friends. Enough resources to put food on the table and a roof over my head.
These images are a great miracle that I was given simply by being born in England and into the family I was. I have God to thank for that, but they are images that can swiftly fade. They can become possessions. I own the rights to these things. I deserve more. Suddenly my life can become one of frustrated desires rather than thankful for all the bounty God has given me so far.
Through the eyes of Adrian above, I am reminded of how lucky I am. How lucky all people born in first world countries are. How desperate the situation in Africa is. The blessings God has given me humble me, for I have done nothing to deserve them.
All I can do is give in prayer, finance and old-fashioned sweat to help those less fortunate.
Let’s pray.
Prayer
Lord thank you for Your abundant blessings on our lives.
Thank You, that you are Lord of our lives and we are saved.
Lord, our hearts break for those less fortunate.
Come in Your power we beg, break the cycle of despair in Africa, break the power of the famine. Restore Your people in Africa, O Lord.
We pray that aid workers are protected.
We pray against the violence and corruption seen in Africa.
We ask that you set Africa on Your path once more.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Bible Passage
MATTHEW 25: 14-30
13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
Introduction269
13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work270 and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matthew 25:13-30).