Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
“So conscious was Jesus of the steadfast love of God enduring throughout the meandering course of human history that He could give Himself freely and fully the current events surrounding Him. Far from being swept along by time’s rush and tumble, Jesus lived life purposefully and therefore patiently.”
John Mogabgab in The Blue Book: A Devotional Guide for Every Season of Your Life, edited and compiled by Jim Branch (Middletown, Delaware, 2020) 262.
Mogabgab reveals a secret I needed to know for my journey to Africa and through all of life. The way to give myself freely and fully—quite possibly my greatest act of generosity—is to focus on the steadfast love of God. I am confident that this is how God desires to grow us.
This text, Psalm 136, will be my centering prayer for this trip. No matter what happens, I want to remind myself repeatedly that “His love endures forever.” This will help me stay on purpose and patient when I face uncertain situations or spiritual opposition.
In focusing on His unfailing love, it makes us into people of faith in the face of fear. He transforms us into conduits of generosity, not because we possess riches, but because we tap into His abundant supply. He causes us to live purposefully and unflappably when most wander lost and flapped.
This happens when we focus on His love. I don’t know where you are at today. What challenges rage around you? What “rush and tumble” circumstances exist in your context? But I know this. You can give yourself fully and freely because nothing is greater than God’s love for you.
I needed to read this upon my arrival in Malawi. It positions me to be fully present and aware of all that is going on around me. We can all do this: focus on the unfailing love of God and remain undistracted on our mission of service with spiritual discernment, purpose, and patience.