So i guess it's time for me to actually post a blog…
So a few days ago Hannah and I were hanging out with some of the volunteers at El Rancho and we ended up getting into a conversation about the Holocaust. It was interesting considering one of the volunteers is German. During our conversation I said that i would rather die in a gas chamber instead of the oven. Of course then I realized that the oven was only used to burn the already dead bodies. Anyways I was cracking jokes about how I would tell Hitler to calm down and that I wasn't about to be thrown into and oven or anything. I mean it was all in jest, but then Mitch, a Kiwi volunteer, said, "Jeffrey would be like, 'You know this happened in the Bible.'" In that moment I was completely blown away because that was one of the biggest encouragements that I've ever received in my life. I received it as Mitch basically telling me that I had faith to withstand being thrown into an oven and to come out alive. So of course the Lord then led me to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three refused to give up their faith in God even if it cost them their lives. So then I began to ponder what it would look like for me to have enough faith in the Lord to be confident that he would rescue me from the flames, and even if he didn't I would still believe. So I've basically realized that my faith needs to increse and that the Lord is my protecter in any situation and that he is always with me no matter what's going on.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, " O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
-Daniel 3:16-18
The Lord also gave me inspiration for a poem…
What does it look like to have faith amongst the flames?
With certain death in front of me will I still shout your name
Or will I play the world's game?
Robbing you of your glory and deserved fame
Increase my faith to the point where I will know that you will protect me and even if you don't I still believe
Not in golden idols, but in my Most High King
For the only flace that can touch me is your consuming fire
Yes, increase my faith for your glory so you can be lifted higher
