Smol tok nomo |
Smol tok nomo |
Over the last few weeks I, like so many others, have grapled wirth the new reality that has hit our world with the corona virus. So much has changed and so much seems uncertain. Deciphering through thoughts and feelings, seeking God and trying to see things from His perspective.
I sat and thought about it the other day. We were so close to our goals to return to Vanuatu. Now crisis, shut doors on countries and travel. What exactly are you doing God? To be perfectly honest, I would have to almost laugh (because that is my go to response for all things) it would seem as if we were having a bad luck streak or rather like the classic children’s tale, “a series of unfortunate events.” Our last term in Vanuatu we dealt with crisis. Hundreds of evacuees all needing food, water, and experiencing uncertainty as they were forced to leave their homes and all of their wealth (livestock, gardens, any other wordly goods). The work was exhausting and the emotional toil so great. Long after the big story had passed, and it was no longer “news” to all, people still needed food, water, a place to stay. There we were in the shadows feeling forgotten under the work load of it all. It was crisis and it was hard. Now. here we are for our itineration in the U.S. and with covid-19 we now have more cases than anywhere in the world right here in the U.S. and Vanuatu (thankfully) does not have any cases and it is looking hopeful with their closed borders that they will not get any. It would seem we are in the wrong place at the wrong time! We arent sure exactly in this instance how God is wanting to use us, but we are trying to walk with open ears and hearts for when the moments arise. The church world today puts so much emphasis on walking in favor. We equate the blessings of the Lord that we can see with our eyes with favor. I have been guilty of judging based on what I can see, and questioning my own walk with why I dont seem to be in favor, on the contrary, often I feel so alone or forgotten. The picture doesnt seem to be unfolding as I thought it would and I have been suprised that the plans I thought God had for me was not His plans for me at all. Favor? Wrong place at the wrong time? This is what walking with the Lord looks like, it defies human logic, I can honestly say now I feel complete peace that we are actually in the right place at the right time! How? Goid changed my perspective. I no longer judge rather he is pleased with me by rather I am “walking in favor” I count it an honor instead, that He has chosen for me to “walk in purpose.” The thing we have learned is that ministry often happens in the shadows and the cracks. When the shock and the news of bad situations subside people still have to go on, they still have both felt and spiritual needs, this is where we have opportunity to serve in purpose. I have seen so many heros in the shadows through this, people helping people, ministering to people. when we were trying to self quarantine in case we had been exposed to the virus, some even brought groceries by for us! The news of this pandemic will eventually pass, but there will still be many trying to pick up the pieces and they will need those willing to walk in purpose on purpose. Here is what I have learned from crisis. We can focus on the greatest fear of all, that we have displeased God and we are not in His favor. That He has forgotten us and we are alone, that He wont help us through the pain of the loss we are facing. The other choice, the better choice, is to focus on the purpose He has for us. That of all the generations of all time, you are here, right now, in this crisis with all those around you. We can recognize the gift and opportunity it is to be present in a crisis, to rise to the occasion, rather that looks like meeting peoples felt needs or just choosing to stay positive and share an encouraging word. The Bible tells us His ways are higher than our ways, perhaps in your life and mine, favor looks like an opportunity to lay treasures up in heaven rather than here on earth. Perhaps you will even find purpose in the shadows of a hidden prayer closet. Just maybe favor for you looks like the opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a time the world so desperately needs to see the joy and peace that only comes from a life full of Christ. If purpose is the road God has chosen for you, walk in it and see it for the gift it really is. Our perspective will ultimately decide how we respond to crisis, a life given fully to Christ will choose to be His hands and feet. We are not called to figure it all out, we are not called to a life of ease, we are called to serve Him. Dont miss the opportunity to know Him more deeply and to trust where He leads.
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During some recent Bible reading I stumbled upon something I had never noticed before which brought me to some very challenging insights, but first here is what I read; Exodus 35 Vrs 5 “Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it…” Vrs 21 “and they came everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lords offring…” Vrs 22”… as many as were willing hearted…” Vrs 29 “the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, everyman and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work…” Are you sensing a pattern here? A willing heart. Sometimes its hard. Like really hard. Did Missionary Elizabeth Elliot find it easy to go back and serve the very tribe that killed her husband? “ Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon ones thoughts.” -Elizabeth Elliot Did Missionary Mary Reeds heart dance for joy while spending 52 years serving lepers in India and eventually surcumbing to the illness herself? “He who has called and prepared me, promises that He Himself will be to me as a little sanctuary where I am to abide, and abiding in Him I shall have supply of all my need. He enabled me to say not with a sigh, but with a song, thy will be done.” - Mary Reed I believe these woman turned their focus upon the Lord over their circumstances, and while they were caught up in the beauty of how holy and good God is, it birthed a willingness, even a joy in their hearts to serve Him! Sacrifice is never easy in the flesh, its when we focus fully on Christ that He changes our hearts supernaturally so that we can find joy in hardships. It is often through this very act, that unbelievers take notice as they witness the miracle of a life filled with joy inspite of ones circumstance, and in this our God is glorified! A willingness of mind is driven by the desire to glorify oneself, a willingness of heart is the need to glorify and please God alone and is soley focused on Him. What were the children of Israel experiencing during this time of willing service? They were in the desert! They were wondering, without a home, during a time of darkness when they could not see or know with certainty the plight of their future. When we move on to Exodus 36 we see a glimpse of the results of a people with willing hearts; “ … the people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make…And Moses gave commandment… let niether man nor woman make anymore work for the offering of the sanctuary.” They had to stop them from givng anymore to the work of the Lord because it was more than enough! Oh that more hearts would be willing so that the work of the Lord would be accomplished in the earth today. How is your heart today?
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AuthorWife, Mother, Missionary, Teacher, Friend ... just a few of the many titles I gladly wear. Never dreamed this is the journey God would take me on. Archives
July 2022
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