Responding to the Hands of a Generous God

Singing, dancing, hands waving and laughter were all happening at Oceans Retreat Center on Saturday morning. Hearts were overflowing with joy. Oceans was honored to host a group of church leaders and students from a local Bible college. The 40 students counted it a great blessing to be on campus, to share a meal, and to corporately study God’s Word.

I stealthy walked in to the Harbour Conference room but soon couldn’t help joining the singing and dancing. After a while someone from the group asked me to take a picture to share with Thobeka, Giselle and Patty to thank them for delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, chips, beef sausage, oats, toast, coffee, tea and fruit. I can’t remember a time where I got so excited about a meal that I waved my hands in the air and shouted with robust gratitude. I smiled as I contemplated how Africa continues to teach me about offering my whole heart in praise to God in all things. The Father loves when we take time to thank Him (and others) for gifts both big and small. We serve a generous God!

The apostle Paul captures the heart of our generous Father in this wonderful verse:

“For God has proved His love by giving us His greatest treasure, the gift of His Son. And since God freely offered Him up as the sacrifice for us all, He certainly won’t withhold from us anything else He has to give,” (Romans 8:32).

This text is overwhelming to me. To ponder the gift the Father has given through His Son and to comprehend that nothing in all the world can take away that great love. I picture the Father’s strong hands graciously bestowing the gift of Jesus to each one of us. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus the doors of heaven rain down immeasurable treasures upon us His beloved children.

On that Saturday I briefly shared the story of Oceans and encouraged the men and women to take note of the sign on the side of the building. I reminded them that each one of us is called to “Make The Father Known!” For the Father to give us His best in Jesus and allow His Spirit to remain in each of us is beyond understanding. This love lives and breathes and is reflected in each of us! This gift was given to us so that we can tell the world about the love of a generous Father that will never let His children go!

What a God ordained day it was as children of the Father glowed with the radiance of His love gathered together. I was spurred on by their worship and praise to Abba Father. Just the thought that each one from the Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa and us from the US are each able to make the Love of the Father Known to whoever we may come in contact with. The nations gathering at the Retreat Center for such a time as this can only be explained by a miracle working Father who has provided beyond understanding through the gifts and prayers of His gracious children over the ocean 10,000 miles away. What an amazing Father! Words are not enough to give Him the praise He deserves!