Days Like These

I sat in my lounge this morning gazing out the window at the overcast sky. A day that is neither cold nor warm, where you can be comfortable in nearly any clothing combination you choose. How I love these kind of days where you awake tired and content after a late evening laughing and chatting with friends both here and halfway across the world. There is something so peaceful in awaking to a day where you have no need to rush, but can take your time putting together a late breakfast while brewing coffee.

In my task-oriented mind I often forget to stop and rest. Acknowledging that rest is okay and it is good for me. Taking the time to remember the little things that I enjoy doing such as writing in a journal, that I so easily forget about until I've filled four pages. I find it so easy to get caught up in the big picture or even the little details that make the big picture possible. But it is on days like these that I remember.

I remember how much I love the quiet, simple moments of sitting on the couch and reflecting on just how incredible it is to live life with God. Hearing His voice, the relationships that bloom out of having Him as a mutual friend, the laughter or tears that can come in moments of revelation, the ability to watch time after time as people are continuously provided for in things as complicated as travel expenses and schooling or in things as simple as the ability to purchase a cup of coffee. Then asking myself how I could choose a life that incorporated anything else?

I remember how incredibly blessed I am to have family and friends that care for me and champion me in my faith.

I remember that I can share all of this with other people on a blog that I haven't used in roughly a year!
I remember that life doesn't have to be complicated and full of checklists.

I remember...on days like these.

Restored

This week my heart broke.

My heart broke for the young woman sitting beside me seeking truth.

My heart broke for a world so full of brokenness, lies and hurt.
My heart broke.

After a week spent learning about Repentance & Forgiveness, we came together as a class of nineteen students and five staff on Friday. You could feel the heaviness in the room as we began class at 8:30am and sat through the last hour of teaching. Each of us had been asked to spend some time the evening beforehand to seek God for any areas in our life where we needed to see change.

We entered that classroom with burdens weighing on our hearts.

We came seeking repentance and desiring to both receive as well as extend forgiveness.

We came in need of a Saviour.

The teaching ended and we took a brief break before regrouping. The tension and heaviness weighed down as eyes searched the room for the one brave enough to begin. One person stood. As they prayed out to God, the tension lifted. Then one after another prayed out.

Repentance.

                   God's forgiveness. 

The extension of forgiveness to others. 

                                                                                  A new chance.

Each individual is different. We have our own culture, background, history, and hurts. Our God is also different from any other. For when He should leave us in our brokenness, guilt and shame He instead meets us there. From the very beginning He chose us. He chose you. He chose me. Though we are so incredibly guilty, covered in shame, broken by lies, and hurt to the core. Still God in His mercy chose us. Chosen by His Son who broke down every barrier so that each of us could be free. 

Freedom? Yes, and more! Healing! Truth! Forgiveness! Love! Peace! Second chances! Restoration! My God is in the business of restoration! This is what I witnessed yesterday. Though we come before Him broken, He seeks to give us life. Life in abundance. Life with Him. How could I ever refuse such a gift?

Care Free...What Does That Mean?

"When was the last time you were care free?" As I was enjoying some sunshine on Monday afternoon this question interrupted my thoughts. As a trio of birds flew over head I pondered the question. Every day, from the moment we awake till our heads hit the pillow, we are faced with questions, concerns and challenges.
"What will I wear?"
"What kind of weather will there be today?"
"What will I eat today?"
"How will I get to work/school?"
"How will I pay the bills? Where is the money coming from?"
"What does that person think of me?"
"Where will I find the time do get x, y and z finished?"
"Did ____ remember to do ___?"

These and many more are questions we face every day. How can we possibly keep up? I have often heard little children used as an example to portray a lifestyle that seems care free. But, even children have concerns though some may seem trivial in comparison with what we worry over as young people and adults. However, in a sense isn't most worry just trivial?

"Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Matthew 6:26-27 (emphasis mine)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

God tells us over and over again throughout the Bible that we have no need to worry. He promises that if we turn to Him for help and guidance that an answer/solution will come. From the beginning of time He has never failed to keep a promise. Yet, often times I need a daily reminder of His faithfulness. He is God. He knows what is taking place. He knows the desires of my heart. He cares. And He has it all under control.

How many times must I be reminded to trust? How many times must I surrender control? When can I stop asking questions and worrying? When time is no longer valid, I will still need to be reminded to trust and to surrender. I can keep asking questions, He's given me permission but under a specific guideline. The guideline involves quitting worry. For when I trust and let God handle the situation, before I even reach the end of my rope, I can stop worrying. He's got it. God is God. And my God is good!

So breathe, trust and let go. Learn what it means to be care free.

"What Are You Afraid Of?"

Jon's question is one that I have been wrestling with for the past few weeks. You see, since I arrived here in Perth back in October one of my desires for my time here was to be able to take part in staffing a six month Discipleship Training School run on base. I wasn't sure if it would ever take place, because I knew that God had called me to serve the base during my two year commitment. Was staffing a school meant to be part of this time of service?

Within two weeks of being on base I was discovering that there were a lot more schools running year round than what I was previously aware of. As a matter of fact we have about seventeen DTSs, over twenty second-level schools, and over twenty ministries running around base as well. On top of that we have new schools starting up seemingly every other month so we just keep growing, haha! All of the training programs are divided into four different quarters, but one that caught my attention from the start was the Four-Wheel Drive Adventure (4WD) DTS.
The 4WD DTS runs in both the January and the July quarters. As you may have guessed they use four-wheel drive vehicles to go out where others are not able to travel. One of the areas we travel too frequently is the Kimberly region in northern Western Australia where many aboriginal people live. For more information you can check out the website here!

I have been praying about being a part of staffing this July 4WD school since November, but was not able to meet with the leader of the school till a few weeks ago. He told me of the challenges awaiting me if I said yes, but also welcomed me to join the team. My mind was reeling. I went to God questioning if this opportunity could truly be mine. His sole response was, "what are you afraid of? Go for it!"

I can so easily look ahead with expectancy, yet when the time finally arrives to make a decision I begin to doubt and question. God is so good and so faithful in His guidance. I am so thankful for a Father that I can turn to without fear knowing that He will ease my doubt. I still have many questions, but the answers will come I just need to keep trusting.

I am staffing a six month school that begins in roughly five weeks. At the moment there are four staff and I am the only girl. We have twenty students, twelve girls and eight guys. Oh, and since this is a four-wheel drive DTS that means I need to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road! Many challenges and adventures lie ahead. I don't feel prepared whatsoever, but I am excited!

Will you join me in this upcoming journey? It's going to be a wild and crazy ride!

"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!" Psalms 57:7 ESV

"Be strong and courageous! D not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Let Us Run..."

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." - Hebrews 12:1b

"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." - Hebrews 10:36

Over the past few weeks I have discovered something new about myself, I am task-oriented. I enjoy knowing what to do, how to do it, and usually I appreciate having someone to walk me through the process. However, I also enjoy having days when there is nothing on the agenda and I can just relax, read a book, spend time with friends or watch a movie. Typically at the end of a relaxing day, I'm ready to do something.

Making lunch on Friday

This is not necessarily a weakness. This is not really a strength either. This desire or even need to have something to do or work towards is almost like having a travel bug. You just want to get up and go!

I'm learning patience and endurance. Whether it is during the crazy days when there is too much to do and not enough time, so you end up eating lunch standing in the kitchen trying to have a moment of silence. Whether it is during the quiet days when washing kitchen towels, cleaning rags, and bedding is your sole task. Patience is something of a life lesson from what I hear and experience. Endurance...well that seems to require patience so they go hand in hand, don't you agree?

Sometimes I lose sight of the value in the simplest of day to day tasks. Laundry, making a coffee, cleaning a room, baking a birthday cake, helping cook a meal. These tasks are so often taken for granted that I can forget how essential they can be.

When I joined staff in October 2015 it was with a desire to serve the base location and the people in that area. Service is a beautiful act that can be a form of worship to God and also a way in which to honour others. Lately, I've caught myself viewing the ministry I do on base as just a daily routine instead of as an act of worship. That's not how I want to live. It is not why I came here. I came because I was called to make a difference through serving, to reach out to the people here, and to help build up the sense of community.
This is my purpose. This is my act of worship. This is how I will endure any obstacles thrown at me. God is my anchor, my refuge, my Lord, my Saviour, and my Heavenly Father. He is worthy of my worship, in the craziness and the quiet. Even more so when I least feel like it.
So I will run to Him, for He cares for me.

A New Year

   This Christmas and New Year's season was... different. I celebrated Christmas day with 500 people from all around the world, though it started off in my house having breakfast and opening stockings with my house-mates. Then on New Year's eve it was a normal work day before gathering a bunch of friends for a small party at my house where we played games, had a dance party, and swapped stories before going off to watch the fireworks.
   For New Year's day I opted for a day off. I spent the majority of the day reading, puttering around an empty house, and enjoying the quiet. As the evening approached and I contemplated some of the events that had taken place in 2015, I wanted company. I sat on a swing set and came upon the realization that I missed my family. I missed how we celebrated the holidays together and all of our little traditions, such as watching the Muppet's Christmas Carol and eating cheese fondue. I missed them for the way we interact together and how each one of us are so different. I missed them because they were my family.
   We may be spread between four nations, but we manage. I love them all! Thank you Jesus for blessing me with such a great family. :)

For Such A Time As This

     As I was sitting in the living room/lounge doing my quiet time, verses began to stick out at me. Now, I've been reading through 1 Chronicles for my morning devotions of late, which isn't exactly one of the most exciting books in the Bible (from my point of view). Yet, there are some rather surprising stories in there amongst all the numbers and ancestral records. I was reading one such story about David and his desire to build a dwelling for God, for at this time the Ark of the Covenant was sheltered by a simple tent.

    God speaks to David through the prophet Nathan concerning this desire to build a dwelling place, and gives some amazing promises to David. Yet, something more stood out to me. In 1 Chronicles 17:7-8, David is reminded of his background as a shepherd and of how God raised him up as a leader over the nation of Israel. Isn't that amazing?!?!

   "I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel." (verse 7, emphasis added) These two phrases, "I took you from..." "I selected you to be...", drew my attention. It wasn't just David's story anymore. This now became my story. God took me from a life that held few strong, healthy relationships, a life of constantly trying to please, depression, and being a pretender. He gave me a life full of amazing friendships, brought me to a place of joy and peace in Him, and has blessed me so richly in an identity that is all my own. He made me to be myself, and He thinks that is beautiful. Taken from my past and brought into a bright future full of possibilities as I walk in His presence!
   In verse 8 it starts of saying, "I have been with you wherever you have gone..." Then in verse 22, "You chose (me) to be your very own...and you, O LORD, became (my) God." God was always there, He is still here, and He promises to continue to be with us wherever we go. He chose me! He chose you! Isn't that amazing? Isn't God good?

Where has God taken you from? Who has He selected you to be? What role have you been given?

   
No matter your background, I believe God has amazing plans in store for each person. We just need to be ready to say yes, no matter how outlandish it may seem at the time. I ended up in Perth, Australia serving with YWAM! Who knows where you will go! :)