Actions Show Love

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, NIV.

One of the men from a camp where we had conducted many medical clinics was visiting with one of Pacific Rim’s personnel who spoke the trade language. He said, “The name of your organization means “love” in the local dialect.”

Peter* wasn’t sure that he had understood correctly, so he asked the man to repeat his statement. The man again said that the organization’s name meant “love.” Peter thanked the man and thought that it would be a kick if that happened to be true.

Later that day Peter was talking to some local children. He asked if the organization’s name meant anything in local dialect. They said no. Then as Peter continued to reflect on what the man said, he realized that the man might have meant that the actions of the volunteers made the organization name equal “love” in the eyes of the people. He felt a surge of pride at that thought, but then the Spirit convicted him that the truth was deeper still.

He realized that the love they see is not the love of the volunteers but the love of Jesus. He also realized that he may be the only love of Jesus that these people have ever seen or will ever see. Peter was humbled by the thought.

*Names changed for security reasons. This story was written by one of Pacific Rim’s Last Frontier personnel.

Pray that:

Tsunami volunteers will be humbled by the privilege of revealing Jesus to people who will hear the good news of salvation for the first time because of their acts of love.

The Holy Spirit will flow through volunteers so that survivors will see the love of Jesus to the glory of God alone.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.