This blog is long overdue…but better late than never right? J I’ve been home in Scottsdale, Arizona for almost 2 months. That first night sleeping in my own bed was even more enjoyable than I could have imagined. I’ve gotten to spend time with family and friends, eat bowls of cereal with cold milk, drive my car, and have even paid over $4 for a “coffee drink”.
One thing that has surprised me about being back in the U.S. is how quickly I’ve gotten used to all of these comforts once again. I remember thinking many times over the last year how I will never take my hot shower, with water pressure, for granted ever again.
I did have a moment of culture shock last week as I was walking in Old Town Scottsdale with a friend. There were two beautifully dressed women playing stringed instruments on the boutique store lined sidewalk. They weren’t asking for tips. They were simply playing beautiful music for potential customers outside the stores. It hit me rather unexpectedly! I suddenly had images of all the people that I had seen over the last year on the streets around the world. However, all of the people that I saw had dirty clothes, many had missing limbs, and were begging for food or money. They had hopelessness and sadness in their eyes. I didn’t feel at home when I saw these classy ladies playing beautiful music. “Where am I?”, I thought.
The Lord has definitely changed me over the course of this past year. He has broken my heart in a deeper way and given me more of His compassion. I no longer want to live a nice, little life serving myself. I want to be used by Him to further His Kingdom. He has given me more freedom. Freedom from chains of addiction, freedom from fear, freedom from generational sin, freedom to worship Him in new ways, and freedom to know who I am in Christ and to live in that identity.
Since being home I have the desire to share this freedom with girls and women in the Phoenix area. I feel that the Lord has called me to live in Arizona for this next season. I am filled with so much hope and joy because I know that God does not just give us freedom to keep for ourselves, but that He will use it to bring freedom in the lives of others. I am praying for those girls that He is going to put in my path. Girls who are in bondage, broken, hopeless, and hurting. Girls who need a love encounter with Jesus Christ. There are many opportunities here in the Phoenix area to get involved to fight injustice and to bring freedom. I am taking steps of faith right now and trusting that the Lord is guiding my steps and leading me to the right ministry with this vision.
Updates to follow…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
