What is your purpose?
The devotions for this week are taken from LCA International Mission’s 2024 ‘40 Days – a Lent Devotional and Prayer Guide’ and are written by mission partners around the world. This year the devotions have been written by members of our partner churches focusing on the theme ‘40 days with the Storyteller’. LCA International Mission invites you to pray for God’s global mission and churches beyond our borders. You can download an electronic copy of the ‘40 Days’ guide at the LCA International Mission website or request a printed copy by emailing lcaim@lca.org.au or phoning 08 8267 7317.
by Khun Pim
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Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink (Matthew 25:34a).
Read Luke 16:19–31
When I read the text about the rich man and Lazarus in the gospel of Luke, it made me think about a story that happened at a small village in a rural area of Thailand. It was about 30 years ago, when I was young.
The village had only 20 families, no electricity, no water system, and no social media. Moreover, the village was on the Laos border where the communist area was. When fighting happened, it was a risky area for the people. The Thai government had a rescue point in that area to protect people in the village and the region. I remember that a soldier from the rescue point came to my house every day to help with food and pharmacy.
This story helps me to think that we can have peace, warm hearts and love when we give our hands to help people who are suffering in their life. The story of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us how to use wealth, talent and time to rescue and protect the poor and those who suffer in the world. But even more than that, it reminds us of the importance of placing our trust in Jesus for forgiveness and life.
The text also reminds us to think about the purpose of life when we are in the world. We should seek the heavenly treasure from our Father that is never lost. We should find and share faith, love, peace and hope to all people.
Loving God, strengthen and comfort the Lua evangelists serving district 5 in Nan, as they make disciples through teaching and ministering to those living in the communities in Northern Thailand. Father of peace, love and fellowship, give us a blessing on our hearts, to see, hear and listen to the voices of people who are in pain, worry, fear and depression. Lord, have mercy on us. Amen
Khun Pim is a Lua evangelist for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand.
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