True blessing
This summer, I went to Thailand for a two-week mission trip, teaching elementary students about the gospel for the first week (while enjoying the beautiful Thai beaches), and reaching out to the rural villagers and helping the second week. The mission trip broadened my perspective on the gospel and God - because it really is true and necessary for all people, everywhere.
I didn't want to forget this lesson, especially with the fall semester and a new year's worth of Bible studies at USF to look forward to. Going on a short-term mission trip can be a thrilling, eye-opening experience, but sometimes it can be a letdown to go back to my normal life. Luckily for me, the devotional text after Thailand was Psalm 32. Verses 1-2 are "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." I experienced these verses to be true in Thailand as I reflected on how the people I met needed the blessing of God's forgiveness. Regardless of who they were, be they rich university students or privileged elementary school children, or the poor villagers, the ones who did not know the joy of being forgiven of their sins were not blessed because they did not know the risen Lord Jesus Christ, who loved them and died for their sins.
The simple gospel of God's love hit me afresh, especially when I met the Christians who suffered from leprosy. They lived in a hospital that was founded by a Christian missionary 100 years ago, and they were some of the most joyful people I had met! They were so happy to be with us, clapping along with the songs we were singing, even though many lost their fingers to leprosy. And I was convinced again that true happiness doesn't come from a store, but from knowing Jesus personally and growing in that relationship.