A change in perspective

    I have recently been attending a ladies bible study in addition to my "regular" church activities which include Sunday School, Worship Service and Wednesday night bible study. During this time, I have been noticing God orchestrating a theme, weaving together the lessons and prayers of those around me in a spectacular way. He has been revealing this "lesson" not only to my heart, but also to my husband's. Therefore, I thought that I must share this most valuable "lesson" with all of you! I pray that my writing may do justice to it.
    Let me begin by saying that throughout this journey (from hosting to adopting) there have been those who have supported us through prayer and words of encouragement and their gift to us is priceless. However, there have also been those who have caused us to feel discouraged at times. Some people have said that we were "crazy" to bring an adolescent from another country, culture and background into our home to live with our 3 children. She may be dangerous in some way, they said. How will you communicate with her? How will you afford it? Aren't you worried? You can imagine the hundreds of responses that we have received...and the fear that Satan tried to root in our hearts. And so, it was that God began to battle Satan for our hearts and minds. It took a change in "perspective" to teach us such an important lesson.
    Service and Love. Isn't that what Jesus's ministry on earth was all about? He came not for those who were healthy, wealthy and righteous, but rather for those who were sick, hungry, thirsty and poor. He spent his entire 3 years of ministry helping others. He healed bodies, he healed hearts, he provided for the needs of all of those who demonstrated their need for him. Jesus never used words without action! This is how he won the hearts of so many. It wasn't a great sermon, although he spoke with wisdom and authority. Jesus Christ went where there was a need, he stepped out of his comfort zone and right into the midst of sin and darkness. After all of this, he gave the Great Commission, and he said that we (anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ) are to go and do the same!
    Finally, I have gotten to the point of all of this. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! When we say that, we attach ourselves to what it really means. We recognize that we must be like Christ, that we must love the unlovable, we must care for those who cannot care for themselves and we must demonstrate God's love to all of those around us through action! We also recognize that we will often feel uncomfortable, worried, maybe even frightened and that it is during these times of personal sacrifice that God will be glorified! We have decided to choose to see the world through His eyes and not our own. What a change in perspective!Each day we must decide that we need Him to help us, to guide us, and to forgive us. We are humans who struggle with pride and selfishness, just like everyone else. But, we know now that we are capable of so much more because He is in US! He feels up all the empty spots, strengthens our weaknesses and quiets our fears. If only we ask Him to. 
    One of my favorite scriptures lately has been this one, "So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" (2 Corinthians 5:16) When it is tempting to listen to those that list the things that we should worry about, I remember this verse and I stop evaluating this situation from a human perspective. Instead, I look at it through Christ's eyes and I know without a doubt that we are doing what Christ would do. Isn't that what it's really all about? We trust in Him completely. He will provide all that we need. We are just people. There is nothing amazing about us. What is amazing is how God can use us if only we change our perspective!