Julie Lefebure loves people. She is a loving person. Yet God called her to love deeper. To love outside the neat lines of her ordered life. To love like He does.
This is our invitation as well. It won’t look like Julie’s, but it will look exactly like what God desires to do inside of you as he issues the invitation, “Come with me.” ~ Suzie
God reveals the hidden love buried in you
Julie Lefebure
A friend has a heart for the people of India.
My daughter is drawn to the elderly.
Someone else I know has a love for troubled youth.
And me?
Well years ago, in my cushioned, mapped-out life, I was perfectly happy living the life I was living, and loving the people I loved.
God has a way of shaking things up when I get too comfortable. And what He did at that point threw me completely out of my familiar. My pastor and friend founded and ran a local ministry, assisting the formerly incarcerated, the homeless, and others in need.
Good for her, I thought.
She excelled at it. This was something I could never do. I mean, I was busy running a business and loving my family. I had big plans and dreams, and helping “those” people wasn’t one of them.
They were dangerous. They looked bad, and they smelled worse. I felt sorry for the homeless, but if they would just get a job, it would solve their problem.
It’s no wonder God called me and my judgmental attitude to serve and love through that ministry.
I offered up excuses and arguments. My life could be in danger, for goodness’ sake! But, God knows what’s best, so I showed up at the ministry’s door one day, trembling and apprehensive.
It didn’t take long to discover that I wasn’t much different than “those” people.
Their stories busted open my reality. Their struggles rocked my cushioned life. Their faith simplified mine. Their joy permeated my presence. Their love transformed my heart. God used them to change every part of my life, and to flip what I thought I knew upside-down.
One day a week turned into two; two turned into four, and eventually I was given responsibility to supervise the daily operation of that location. God gave me a heart for those often considered “outcasts,” and unburied a hidden love for them deep within me.
I no longer consider them “those” people. They are now my friends.
Oftentimes God calls us out of the familiar to awaken within us what He’s hidden inside us.
And when He calls us to use that hidden love — and we do — we are the ones who end up being blessed.
{Tweet This}
If you’re accustomed to loving only those around you and those like you, God is leading to love deeper and wider and bigger.
May each of us step out in faith, and watch Him do what only He can do.
We might just discover a hidden love we never knew was in us, but He knew it all along.
Julie
Julie is a simple Iowa gal, who finds joy in a good cup of coffee, un-rushed mornings, and witnessing breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
She’s a Bible Study Fellowship leader, is on staff at a local church, and is passionate about encouraging others through writing and speaking.
Married to Bill for 23 years, they’ve raised two children who have grown into caring young adults. Julie and Bill are often found on their tandem bicycle, and will be biking across the state of Iowa for their third time on RAGBRAI this summer.
Julie writes at Loving God Loving Others and Live Laugh Linger at www.julielefebure.com.
She is presently writing her first book.
Follow Julie
Twitter: @JulieLefebure
Facebook: Loving God Loving Others
I just love it when God rocks my world like that. He’s so awesome! Thank you for sharing your story Julie. You are such an encouragement:)
Yes, He is so awesome, Kristine! It’s humbling when I set my mind on how God uses each one of us, specifically and individually, to love others, especially those who are different than us. Thank you!
Julie, thank you for challenging us with your story of faith and obedience. I’ve partnered with a local ministry that goes into the high security women’s prison. The first time I went, I too was apprehensive. I was amazed at how young some of the women were. I left a changed person. Bless you!
Wow, Debbie, that’s incredible. Many in prison have tender hearts, and what a work God can do in those prisons with people who are willing to love, just like you! (I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, am I??) I am praying for you in your ministry. Bless you, too!
I absolutely love this, Julie! I adore your beautiful heart and the way Christ shines so brightly through you. What an honor it was to meet you!
My perspective of the homeless community shifted a few years after my dad became homeless. It was beyond my capability at the time to help him in any way other than love with boundaries. But I loved him, and I prayed for him like nobody’s business. I began to see him in every homeless person on the street… in every sign asking for help. I would pray for them like I was praying for my dad. It changed me. Giving them what I could was almost like helping my dad in some way. What an incredibly beautiful call that God has placed on your life. Your passion to serve Him is encouraging and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story!
Crystal, my heart just swelled in reading your words. Not many can say they’ve been touched by homelessness, or know someone who has. I love how God transformed your heart in a very personal way with your dad’s circumstances. Your prayers landed on the ears of the One Who created all of us, the Master of all creation, and even though you may never know the effect of those prayers this side of eternity, I believe you will when you see God face to face. Your words have impacted me today. I won’t soon forget them. I’m praying for the homeless, right along with you!
Beautifully said, Julie! The Lord will peel back our layers. We can either go fighting and screaming or we can embrace the deep work He’s doing in our lives. I love how He brought you to a point of embracing! Blessings!
Julie, it’s a treasured gift as we watch God transform our fears and confusions into something amazingly beautiful! When we arrive at embracing, we know it’s all of Him. Blessings to you, friend!
Love this Julie, God is currently moving me to work with people very unlike myself yet very much like my old self (and honestly, a lot like my current self) Amazing to see God moving in and through me as I step out into His plan for my life.
Nancy, I find being amazed at how God moves in and through us as we follow Him to be one of the most exciting pieces of the adventure with Him! I hope you’ll keep us posted as you go, hand in hand with Jesus. I’m praying for you today, friend!
I SO cling to my comfortable. I taught elementary children for 32 years…..a comfort zone for me….since retiring two years ago I sense God leading me to work with the elderly….NOT my comfort zone. Thank you for inspiring me to think about it from the perspective of uncovering a hidden love. Scary but powerful! You touched me today, Julie! Cindy
God has a way of leading us out of our comfort zones, doesn’t He? I’m praying God guides you and confirms your future steps as you follow His lead. You nailed it… “scary but powerful!” I’m blessed we can be sojourners together!
This is so beautiful, Julie..My daughter recently worked in a homeless shelter, and God changed her. We’re praying about how to help Syrians when we go back “home” this spring. Thanks for your words here today, friend. We forget that “those people” aren’t so different after all.
Betsy, you’ve warmed my heart here. I’ll be praying for how you can help Syrians when you return home. Yes, “those people” are more like us than we often realize. Thank you for sharing!