A recent trip to the west coast of Africa impacted my life.
The point was made by those who do not call Liberia their homeland, that of all the beautiful places in Africa one might choose to visit—Liberia would not be anyone’s top pick.
After two very messy civil wars and the decimation of a generation, the infrastructure of Liberia faces a very long road (a dirty, bumpy, unpaved road at that!) to becoming a desirous country.
Although Liberia is one of the top 5 most impoverished countries, I must tell you more about this incredible country. I quote Peter, our Liberian host, who understands something that Google does not understand—the heart of Liberia is strong. Throughout our time with Peter, he urgently pleaded with us to come back to America and ask people to “come and see” what God is doing in Liberia. Come and see not only with your physical eyes but with your spiritual eyes.
As we study the Word of God, several instances urge us to "come and see." To hear about a person or place robs us of the gift of sight and physicality. We read in John chapter one about the day Jesus found Philip and told him to follow him. Philip, in turn, found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (Jn. 1:44-45)
Nathaniel, who had not yet seen Jesus with his own eyes, immediately responded, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (vs. 46)
“Come and see,” said Phillip.
We know how the story ends once Nathaniel sees Jesus with his own eyes, “Then Nathaniel declared “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (vs.49)
Throughout my stay in Liberia, I saw circumstances and situations that broke my heart. I also saw people with more courage, joy, and genuine love for one another and God than I have ever witnessed with my own eyes. Can anything good come from Liberia? Yes. A thousand times, YES!
Day after day, I began to understand more clearly why Peter continued to emphasize the message, “Come and see.” We saw dozens of pastors packed into unconditioned rooms, notepads, and pen in hand, hanging on every word of teaching at conferences jam-packed with practical truths from the Bible. Understanding God’s Word and desiring to disciple their small village churches, the meeting was not a social gathering but rather a necessity for these men and women.
Not once did the topic of hungry stomachs surface, nor the fact that some of them had walked for miles in the scorching heat without water to make it to the conference. There was not one mention of personal sacrifice.
All of this I saw with my own eyes.
What is it that your Father is prompting in your own life to challenge you to “come and see” that which might take you deeper in your faith? I implore you to take your trust to new levels and plunge into deeper waters.
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” (Psalm 66:5)
Stay the Course…
Sheila
