A Jon Post
I asked Javan today what he thinks of our lives here in Maputo. I am always little anxious to hear thoughts and get reactions to how my wife and I live our lives. Maybe there’s something in me looking for the validation that we’re doing something right. Maybe there’s something in me looking for a fellow American to tell me that life is pretty challenging here and all the effort I put into just living is worth it.
Maybe it’s all a reflection in my heart of a deeper desire.
Maybe… I just want to rest a weary head on my Father’s shoulder and here a soft “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23). I really, really want to share my Master’s happiness.
Javan got the opportunity to share from the Bible at a men’s Bible study that I lead on a weekly basis at the hospital with some men who live there as patients. He spoke of perfect and complete joy. I think that scene in Matthew, where the Master says “Well done, come and share in my happiness” is one that describes what I think perfect and complete joy is.
Maybe that’s what it’s like.
I see so much that is broken and incomplete all around me. I see a broken joy in the patient Jonathan at the hospital (he and I smiled and spoke at length at how happy we were to share a name), whose tumor above his right shoulder looms over him like a death sentence. I see incomplete joy in David, a soft-spoken man whose chemo-therapy treatments sap every bit of strength he has, to where his shell of a body simply breathes and waits for it to pass.
Maybe Jonathan, David and countless others here and scattered throughout the world are all just waiting for that moment.
We’re waiting for our Master to invite us to share in His happiness.
Maybe that’s what it’s like.
So Javan, try as he might to share what he sees in our lives here in Maputo, didn’t fulfill that longing in me. That longing that I have for the Master to smile… look into my eyes and say… “Well done. Come and share my happiness!”
Perfect… Complete… Joy
I think that’s what it’s like.
“come and share my happiness” – i can pretend especially around Christmas to invite others to share my happiness but what do i offer compared to our Master – presents, money, food, laughter, kindness; sometimes it does not seem enough, and then i think of you and Layne and i realize that i have shared my happiness with the hosiptal in Maputo, MY HAPPINESS “IS YOU” – Jon and Layne!!
you bring much joy to the hearts of the suffering, you bring much joy to the those in pain and dying, you bring much joy to your brothers and sisters who love you and read your blogs faithfully and give extravagantly to support you,
i am convinced our Master looks down from heaven and says to the angels look at my children in Maputo – they make me Happy.
:-).
You’re legit Jon. I love you man.
I can’t imagine you guys loving these people through the worst and probably most painful part of their lives, sharing the only TRUE hope they can have in Jesus..I think He is pleased with this. Only His opinion matters, keep your heart tuned in to His – He’ll let you know. Love you guys
You know Jon I have to admit that this should be all of our hearts desires. All I know is that as long as I give my best He is Pleased. There is no doubt in my mind that You and are giving your best. As my son-in-law I can say “Well done my good and faithful servant!” I know I am not Jesus, but I believe He has afforded me the opportunity to share this with you on His behalf. I love Jon!
I love you Jon.
As the deer pants for the water so your heart pants for the love and approval from the Lord – out of your thirst to serve and please the Father. Jon – what pleases Him most is that you and Layne have given Him your hearts, your souls, your spirits, your lives – you are all His. That’s what He wants – us. So just be obedient to your heart and spirit and He will say – is saying – well done my children!! Love you.
I know that you two are sooo involved with the Lord Jesus Christ– that you guys are just perfect in every way–bringing healing and sharing the word of Our Lord Jesus Christ way out there in Maputo.. God couldn’t have asked for better Angels. It’s like when God asked Abraham to just follow no buts and or if’s- he just did–like you two. No matter what comes your way you two take it all the way and accomplished it with the great help of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God is sooo proud and keeps you two close-to me you two are my inspiration and I look up to ya’ll for the courage and everything you do up there for those people.. God Bless ya’ll–my angels friends who I am sooo blessed to be your friend 4live..Love ya’ll.