03 Mar It’s About Our Hearts
In her role as Lahash Sponsorship Director, Katie Nelson has a unique perspective on the impact that Rice & Beans Month makes in the lives of children in East Africa. She is in contact with the staff at all our partnerships regularly, and has traveled to East Africa many times. This direct experience has certainly shaped her own participation in Rice & Beans Month! She shared the following thoughts on page 30 of the devotional book A Common Meal:
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:37-40)
It’s amazing and humbling to realize that our Lord identifies with those in need, the “least of these.” In fact, he calls them his brothers and sisters. But God is also interested in our hearts for the vulnerable. God cares where our time, money, and resources go because these choices reveal the motives of our hearts. He desires to see his love being made perfect in us through his Son, Jesus. What greater way to do that than by putting the needs of others before our own?
I’ve found that Rice & Beans Month really softens my heart to the daily choices I make and how those choices affect the vulnerable. It has given me a chance to become more aware of God’s voice. God has spoken volumes into unbalanced areas of my life that had somehow become normal because of the culture in which I live and because of my own sin.
This whole experience could easily become focused on whether we indulge our food cravings or stick to the goals we’ve set for the month. I pray that we can move past that and discover a real desire to complete this journey in a way that brings us closer to God and increases our love of others. Hopefully our food cravings will subside as we develop a stronger craving for God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Simply by participating in Rice & Beans Month, you are standing united with your brothers and sisters in need, and you’re sharing food with the hungry. I pray you are as encouraged by this as I am.
– Katie Nelson, Lahash Sponsorship Director
FOR KIDS:
In these verses, Jesus explains that when we feed people who are hungry or visit people who are lonely, it’s like we’re feeding Jesus and visiting Jesus! Every day that you eat rice and beans, you’re providing food for people who are hungry, which means it’s like you’re making dinner for Jesus.
Go to eatriceandbeans.com/video, and watch the video called “More Than A Meal.” You will see a whole bunch of the people that Jesus is talking about in this verse. Watch carefully and you’ll see the light of Jesus shining brightly in them!
PRAYER:
We live to proclaim your name, Jesus! May every good work you inspire us to do bear fruit to feed a hungry world with your abundant love. Reveal your light in every face we see, until the light of your kingdom fills our vision. In every daily task and choice, help us to joyfully take hold of the life that really is life. Amen.
If you’d like more devotional reflections, inspiring stories, and recipe ideas to encourage you throughout the month, order a copy of A Common Meal. It’s a unique book designed to accompany you on the unique journey of Rice & Beans Month. If you’d like to find out more about sponsoring a child through Lahash, please visit lahash.org/sponsorship.