unconditional love.

during one of our nightly team meetings while in ghana we were going around sharing different things that we noticed and appreciated - high points of our days. what struck me that day, but also every day, was the unconditional love that each of our youth had for the children in ghana. without knowing anything about them, without considering the dirt and filth that some of them carried on their bodies, none of them ever hesitated to embrace them, whether it be with words or with physical touch. immediately and no matter what, they loved them...unconditionally.

this past week, upon reflecting on good friday and easter - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - i became more aware of how far i am from who God wants me to be. sure, i can do "good" things like going on a missions trip to ghana. but the hard reality is that i so often try to forget is that my heart still has evil in it, no matter how good i try to be. i am sinful by nature. because of this i am reminded of the importance of holy week but also of what my response to this sacrifice needs to be. Christ came to serve, i need to serve. today i am struck by the unconditional love that God offers us, freely. the words to a song by tenth avenue north have been playing in my head...words of promise that God would sing to us every day, no matter what.

"My love is over. It's underneath.

It's inside. It's in between.

The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.

The times that you question, 'Is this for real? '

The times you're broken.The times that you mend.

The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.

Well, My love is over, it's underneath.

It's inside, it's in between.

These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.

The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.

The times you're hurting.The times that you heal.

The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.

The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.

I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.

I'm there through your heartache.I'm there in the storm.

My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.

I don't care where you fall, where you have been.

I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.

It never ends."

(Times - Tenth Avenue North)

just like our students so embraced the hands of the children, God embraces us - unconditionally. if only we so quickly sought after Him like those children so desired just to walk and hold our hands.