Coming Down From The Mountain

Today, in school, a student asked me a question that in the past I thought much about. He asked, "Are there diseases or dangerous things that could hurt you in the Dominican Republic? What if you get sick?" This gave me a fantastic opportunity to share what God is teaching me a lot about- trust. I answered that there are things that could hurt you anywhere you go, but you have to choose whether you are going to live in fear of what ifs or trust that God is in complete control of anything that should happen. My students listened intently as I went into a lengthy conversation about how, in the past, I've missed out on opportunities to spread the message of God's forgiveness and His love. God has brought me to a place in my life that, even though the above question might cross my mind at times, fear doesn't rule me. I get to go serve- practically living Christ for these dear people to see. Several students followed up by saying they hope one day they can travel to places that desperately need to hear God's truth. I explained that they can start now, right where God has them. This was a God-given moment!

In one week I will be returning to the Dominican Republic with a group from Broadway Christian Church for the second time. I am so excited to reconnect with people I grew to know and love. I think back to my visit last November. I was pushed out of my comfort zone multiple times during that week long trip, yet I experienced God in a more real way than ever before. That was a "mountaintop experience" and I DID NOT want to come down from it. I loved serving with the group of people I had the privilege to go with- I was afraid of losing the closeness. I loved worshiping with the Dominican people. I got to love on children that may not get much love. I loved the simplicity of the people. God has been showing me some things about a few mountaintop experiences I've had in my life.... I wasn't meant to stay there and He won't allow me to stay there. God gives me the opportunities to take what He shows me on the mountaintop and put it into practice in the valleys of life. It's how I walk through the valleys that tests my faithfulness and commitment to live Christ. It's the ordinary things of daily life that prove the level of my spiritual endurance. But, often times, I forget that my character is formed through the difficult and low times. I get discouraged and selfishness sets in. I only want to live on the mountaintop. But, it is when I'm in the valley that I really learn and understand who Jesus is for me in a personal way. It is easy, when walking through the valley, to turn back. I give excuses as to why I decide it is too hard to keep going. God gently reminds me of the experiences I've had with Him on the mountaintop, and that He hasn't changed. He will walk with me through every valley, and it's there He starts to give me a glimpse of the vision of where He's ultimately leading me. So whether I'm in a place of experiencing the mountaintop or the valley, I will trust my heavenly Father knows what's best. I know God is going to do amazing things when we return to the Dominican, in us and through us, and I'm incredibly blessed to be a part of it! 

Letting Go and Moving On

After returning from spending the summer at Broken Arrow Bible Ranch, God has really been impressing upon me what it means to completely surrender- my life is not my own. With God's grace, I've been able to stay faithful to my daily devotions and I recognize how much I need to be spending time with Him before my busy (and often crazy) day would begin. One Sunday morning, on the way to church, I heard something on the radio that prompted a sudden thought (I know now it was clearly from God)-"You need to move home with family and save money so that when I (God) open the door to new expanses, nothing will hinder you." I was surprised, but let it go as I went into church. Greg, our pastor, preached about submitting to God's word and His work- our lives are no longer our own, Christ lives in us. It got my attention after earlier that morning. I was afraid to mention it to my family because of what their responses may be, but God opened the door for me to bring it up with my mom within the next week. Amazingly, she agreed and said that time is too short to put off what God clearly directs us to do. Then I had to figure out how to talk it over with my sister, and again God opened the door.  She agreed and mentioned that God may have had her look at apartments in the spring for such a time as this. It would work out well, since our lease is up in October. I kept praying and seeking direction from God and those I trust. 

I knew moving home would only be a stepping stone, but it would involve giving up a lot of my possessions. God is testing me to see if, like the rich young ruler in the Bible, I'm going to sorrowfully turn away. Mark 10:21-22 MSG "Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go." It isn't easy to give my things away and at times I want to hold on. But God reminds me these things are temporary and laying up treasures in Heaven will last forever.

Several things confirmed God's direction for both Hannah and me. What a peace to walk in the center of His will! So at the beginning of November I'll move home and Hannah will move into her own apartment (her first time living alone). I will continue to do as God directs, when He tells me. I don't know what's ahead. I do know that God wants to take me to places I've never been and to heights I can't imagine. I am done with being so afraid of taking a wrong step that I fail to take any step at all (which I've done for too long). He wants to accomplish great things in and through me that can only happen if I'm living by faith. Jeremiah 42:3 "Show me the way in which I should walk and the thing I should do." Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." God is teaching me to take bigger steps of faith in order to prepare me for what He's calling me to do in the future. He's showing me that I miss out on His blessings if I'm not willing to do the things He's already revealed to me. 

So, all this to say, "Lord, have Your way with me. I'm ready and willing to let go and take this leap of faith."

"Help Me Find It" by Sidewalk Prophets

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go

I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You

If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I'm giving you doubt
You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone

Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go

I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

 

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need

 

AN UPDATE ON THE FINAL WEEKS OF MY SUMMER COMING SOON!