I've been reading recently in the Gospel of John and John's epistles - about love, and following God's commandments. It's interesting to see how the prioritized object of our love is lineated - from God first, then to fellow believers (which become realities only when we follow God's commandments - 1 John 5:2-3).
But long story short - it's easier for me to be devoted to non-believers, to put all of my focus into them - when rather I'm ACTUALLY called to be first and foremost devoted (by and in my love) to believers.
Recently, through my relationship with one family - that truth has become a refreshing reality for me.
Meet the Kolesov family - Mother Tania and her 4 sons (from left to right in picture below: Serg, Simeon, Mark and Artem. Their grandma is sometimes around too!)
I met Artem and Simeon through one of our English clubs - and I quickly became close to their family. They are a strong Christian family (I went to church with them today) and yet filled with a rough and interesting past.
I could go on and on of how encouraging it has been for me to be apart of their lives - but I wanted to first introduce them to you before I told you more about them!
I am so thankful today for the opportunity to love this family - and to challenge all of the boys to grow in their relationships with God.
Even the youngest - Mark (he loves giving me hugs - and I love getting his hugs!) - was busy today on the metro asking an older man if he knew about God or Jesus!
Praise God for the opportunity He has given me to love His children - the Kolesov family!
Wow Will ... that is awesome that you have found a family in Russia to love on, encourage and be encouraged by! (I even think you could fit in physically! Are you sure your great, great, great, great ... grandpa Rush wasn't in Russia rather than on a boat to America!? :)
ReplyDeleteIt was ironic reading your struggles with pouring love first into fellow believers and then those outside the body, because I firmly believe I have the opposite dilema in my faith. Jenna and I poured our hearts out tonight about how we have been recently more convicted and more burdened for the lost we interact with daily! Loving and encouraging believers definitely comes more naturally to me, but I also need to act on the opportunities to verbally witness to those God has placed in my life (and not just when it's convenient!).
So, if you think about it and remember, could you pray for courage and boldness and the strengthening of faith in the power of the Holy Spirit with in Jenna and I as we go about out life in Indy (specifically co-workers) so that we don't continue to watch opportunities to share the gospel pass us by. Awesome! Thanks!
Keep abiding and pouring out!