Violent Grace in the Face of Hell

I've been thinking about hell a lot lately.

I'm assuming this isn't a normal topic of thought for you; it's not normally on my mind either.

Chubby cheeked Treasure!

Do you ever wonder what hell is really, really like? It struck me this week that I will never truly know what torment belongs there. I will never see the anguish that they will endure for all of eternity.

Jenny caught Lucy and me being silly!

While my curiosity is stirred, I am thankful for my ignorance. I am blessed and moved to tears that I will never have to suffer whatever unknowns of suffering untold belong in the darkest places of condemnation. I am thankful that while I deserve that punishment, I will never know the extent of the price for my sin. Never.

In my heart, I know why God delays in returning. Somehow that is hard to get to my head though as I wonder why He doesn't come to extinguish all of the sorrow, pain, and suffering on earth.

"The moment I bring justice and relieve all suffering is the moment earth's inhabitants' eternal destiny is sealed. Not one more shall be joined to be then. To 'end it all,' as you say, will also mean to end the offer of grace -- a grace I delight to offer, a violent grace that cost me dearly." (Alcorn, 315)

Saida always gives me a smile!

As excited as I am for Him to return in all of His glory (whoa, does that kind of scare you too, or is that just me?), the thought of everyone's eternal destiny sealed off stops me in my tracks. I think of all of the people that I love that don't know Christ. I think of all of the people that I don't know that don't know Christ. I even think of all of the people that I don't even like that don't know Christ. This saddens my heart. They will have no hope.

However, as He has delayed His return and there are still people without His grace, that hope is not out of reach. This thought has given me new zeal this week. This ministry is not based on fear, but on hope and love. I know that God loves these people -- even the ones that I don't even want to like -- and that alone is enough to motivate me to point others to Him.

This week we had two babies born from women at the Center -- Mary and Esther. I absolutely love going to hold a baby not even a day old. I love that I get to talk to them about Jesus too! I love that I get to name the babies (such a huge honor!) and have the ability to use that as a teaching moment based on what the name means or who it was in the Bible. I love working with women that are pregnant and talking to them about the coming months. I love working with women in general; they are beautiful!

Piggy back rides and twirling around are our favorite

I have felt His violent grace. I know that Gospel -- good news -- of Jesus Christ and the blessings and new mercies He gives me each day. Ephesians 1 talks about how He lavished His grace upon us, which sure sounds like a lot of grace to me! Tonight I'm thankful for many, many things, but I'm choosing to praise Him for His violent grace.

Judith was not happy with us that day!

Ramsey is one of my favorites to play with

Carolyn and Judith

Baby Grace, born Sept. 27th

Baby Silas, born Oct. 3rd

Lucy and baby Judith

Angelina and baby Agan

One of the groups of Karamojong in Masese