In the King's Service

I’m writing to you in my tiny apartment which sits among the wispy trees of Monterrey… my little home is tucked between the rigid purple mountains of this wonderful city. I am living with ten girls whom I have a deep reverence for. They are bold, kind, gentle, and faithful in their love. Solid people! Our little home has been filled with bowls of homemade guacamole, the rich strumming of an acoustic guitar, testimonies of redemption, shoes covered in dirt and paint, laughter, and stories of the people we have had the privilege to come across. Mexico has been oh-so good, yet, it has been humbling, hard, and hot. (Today’s high was 104° F! Don’t worry Mom! Been wearing SPF.)

In the past two weeks I have painted orphanage walls yellow, grilled hotdogs in the Mexican-heat, packed countless tubs of PB&Js, danced and partied hard at my first quinceañera, cleaned urinals here and there, and made friends with some real sweet girls from Ohio, Texas, California, Tennessee, Ontario, and Nuevo León. Throughout these days, God has been so gracious throughout the beautiful moments and the hard times. There have been days where my heart has had a yearning for home… seeing big life moments in my hometown over text and Facebook has been so bittersweet.

During the first few days here in Mexico, my heart felt split between North Carolina and Monterrey. Not being able to witness my best friends graduate, sweet baby showers, and every life moment in-between is strange. Serving was draining the first week, and I struggled with my thought life while serving. Yet, the Lord is my comforter. He has brought me so much peace and joy through prayer!

As the days have gone by, there has been a change in my heart. I remember watching one of the missionaries cutting thirty overripened avocados, and scooping out all the soft brown patches. As the kiddos in the orphanage were running around in their white school shoes anxiously awaiting for their dinner, I couldn’t stop thinking of home. In that moment, serving was exhausting. I was observing this woman work and serve… for what though? As my doubts and longings were standing at the forefront of my mind, a new and very different thought entered the threshold: I am in the king’s service.

June third of Charles Spurgeon’s devotional, Morning and Evening, begins with 1 Chronicles 4:23, "These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.”

“Potters were not the very highest grade of workers, but "the king" needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for "the king"; and therefore we will abide in our calling… The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king's work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt "with the king" and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there… In visiting hovels, swarming lodging-houses, workhouses, or jails, we may go with the king. In all works of faith we may count upon Jesus' fellowship. It is when we are in his work that we may reckon upon his smile. Ye unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the King for his work, and when he writes his chronicles your name shall be recorded.”

To think that the Lord has given me the privilege of working for him! I am in the service of the King of kings, the Lord of lords! To serve the King and live among the dirt is the highest honor I will ever receive!

God, my great teacher, has been so diligent and patient with me as he has walked with me into this new season. As I have walked through week two, and now almost week three, I can’t help but surrender to the service he asks of. I will slice avocados for the rest of my life if he would like me to!