The Key to Moving Mountains. Awake Series, Part 23
She started as a simple children minister, this friend of mine. Her heart was
set on making a difference in their young lives. She was good at it, especially
since she invested so much time in children and believed earnestly that God
would move mountains like never before. Open to God's Holy Spirit, she felt
impressed to approach the local public elementary schools, for she noticed that
many children came to school hungry. She introduced breakfast clubs in many of
these public schools of that city, relying solely on God for volunteers and
donations. Not once did she beg for money.
Her love did not stop there. Many of these poor kids would never experience a
proper Thanksgiving dinner not a Christmas dinner. God enlarged her territory as
she touched these lives with her tender care.
When one door opens, others soon open as well. Noticing that many young children
were wandering the streets, she suggested a weekly after-school program, where
youngsters could learn trades of interest, such as sewing, cooking, woodworking,
playing drums, guitars… It became a huge success. Lots of kids took advantage of
this program and experienced firsthand that love sure makes a difference.
She eventually adapted a whole downtown street of her city, a street far from
desirable for the middle class, as vandalism was the norm. With her volunteers
and her love, she touched many lives in that street through the programs she was
offering, and with hope in the horizon, people changed.
She was officially recognized by the Board of Education. Funds were offered to
her through companies, the city, and even the government. She had done what many
considered impossible. All because of faith and extreme love.
There are still many churches out there that hunger to have the opportunity to
serve in a public school, but their agendas are more important than fulfilling
the real needs. Public schools in the surrounding cities of this dynamic
children's ministry started to contact their local churches to encourage them to
begin similar programs, especially related to feeding the hungry. But the local
churches turned them down. They did not have the volunteers, the finances, the
facilities … However churches were willing to come to the schools with their own
agendas.
Sadly, these public schools were left wanting, wondering if there is any love
out there.
We may have faith issues that hamper us from experiencing the supernatural.
"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as
small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'
and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20 NIV)
But we face even larger obstacles if we don't know how to love.
"If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1
Cor 13:2 NIV)
Faith and a willingness to love are the key ingredients to moving mountains.
Without these, we will be pushing along, without any results, for a long, long
time.
Remember nothing is impossible if we have love from above!
Rob Chaffart