Leaves of Healing

There is absolutely nothing for which God has not made provision! He has considered it all; nothing escapes His knowledge and His purpose ... there is a purpose for everything under the sun!

In Kenya, a land where little is much and where nothing is taken for granted, a simple dose of tender loving care can heal the deep wounds of the heart. A few years ago, we, as a team of missionaries, had the awesome privilege of not only seeing the need from a distance, but we were called to touch, embrace, hold, and even kiss the cheeks of many who needed only to know they were loved.

But then, there were those who were sick, some even nearing deaths door ... no money, no doctors, no medicines. Their only hope was out of reach for them because of the lack of means to receive help. During this particular outreach to Kenya, God used our team to provide care to hundreds of people through the work of a wonderful group of volunteer physicians and medical professionals. When I stop to consider the impact of the three days of medical clinics, I'm reminded of Ezekiel 47:12…

"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." (Ezekiel 47:12)

According to the doctors and medical professionals, "leaves for healing" saved numerous lives during the free medical camps in regions where the sting of death and disease touches nearly every home.

Having witnessed this with my own eyes, it's easy to see how the "water from the sanctuary flows" to those in need, giving food and leaves for healing. The verse in Ezekiel spoke so powerfully to me as we were serving food (the Word of God) and leaves of healing (medicines) as the water (the Word) was flowing from the sanctuary (the heart of God)! Living Water flowing from our bellies, from the temple, which we are … the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the healing He perfected through the volunteer medical staff ... it's almost more than I can fathom! Praise His Holy Name! What a privilege to be used to reflect the heart of God through His Word. It was the process of the work of grace in action ... God's grace poured out to those in need, drawing them to Himself with His outstretched arms. What an incredible picture!

When you begin to think you have nothing to offer, or are tempted to believe you are insignificant in the Kingdom of God, remember the times you reached out and embraced the unembraceable or loved the unlovable. Remember the times you lent a helping hand to one in need, the time you offered words of encouragement to a downcast friend. You, too, were as the water flowing from the sanctuary, serving food and leaves for healing.

Do you consider yourself unfruitful? Not hardly! Begin to thank God for every opportunity He has given you and begin to pray for more opportunities to be a vessel through which He can pour His love and confirm His Word ... He's waiting for you to ask.

Father, so often we feel insignificant in the Kingdom and useless -- sometimes we feel like excess baggage, taking up room but not doing our share. So many times we have felt like only highly-visible missionaries can make a difference. Father, use us! We make ourselves available to You to be used to serve "food" and offer "leaves for healing" to those You bring into our lives. Forgive us for not taking every opportunity You have already brought to us ... help us to look for them and to take advantage of every chance to minister Your grace to those in need. "Here I am, Lord, use me!" for Your glory, that Your Kingdom be increased and Your name magnified in all the earth! In Jesus' name, amen and amen!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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Note: We are accepting applications for the 2011 India Outreach. Our goal is to have the team formed by September 1; please contact me to learn more.