On December 31st, God spoke three words to me that I believe will mark the coming year:
FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.
I Corinthians 13 tells us that these three remain… and for the longest time, I thought that the word "remain" meant that these three words were the ones that were left to be discussed… merely, those aspects that were at the end of the list of things that characterize the Christian life… kind of a "save the best for last" deal.
But then I realized that "remain" really means something completely different. When the Word says that these three remain, it means that Faith, Hope, and Love are enduring… never failing… always existing…and will remain even to the very end. Amen!
Truly, what a joy it is to be called to live a life of Faith, Hope, and Love. I'm sure I'll have many stories in the months to come about each of these, but right now, I want to share a little bit about what God's been teaching me about "Faith."
The year 2011 is already promising to be a year of faith…and of learning to depend utterly and completely on God. I spent my first week of 2011 at the house of an amazing family who has blessed and challenged me by their commitment to live by faith. I listened for hours with delight at their stories of God's providence during their years in Eastern Europe, where they lived each day not knowing what God would do, but believing that He would lead and direct their paths to the people He wanted them to share the gospel with, and to those He wanted them to pray for. When they returned to the US, they knew life would be different amidst the many critter comforts that surrounded them, and yet as a bystander, I still see so much evidence in their lives that they walk by faith, in true dependency on the Lord. I want to walk that same path, though I know it might look a little different. We have a creative God!
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." There are so many times I can't tangibly explain God's voice to people, but I know and believe that what He speaks to me is true, and I can confidently say that He has never let me down before… and since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, I can pretty much go on faith that His promises are completely true!
I have 4 and a half months to raise $14,800. It seems like a daunting amount, but I'm excited to see how the Lord will provide! God has already led so many people to this blog… and I'm so grateful by the prayers of my friends, family, and even those who have read this who don't even know me.
If you would like to be a part of this journey…and partner with me through prayer, or even financially, please click HERE. Please let me know, too, how I can be praying for you!!
One of my best friends from Tokyo was baffled about the fact that I would leave my amazing job (teaching 5th Grade at the International School of Beijing), the wonderful students and colleagues I work with on a daily basis, the financial stability I presently have, and the incredible God-given fellowship at my church here, all because I heard God's voice. But as I shared with her about the joy it is to follow Christ because I know I can do everything through Him, because He gives me life, breath, and a hope and a future, I think her perspective began to change. I shared with her the confidence and freedom I've found in being able to trust Him and not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6-7), and I believe it's been stirring something in her heart. Praise God, indeed, that even in the preparation for this journey, people are being pointed to the Lord.
My prayer is that, as I journey on the World Race, my life would be a testament of God's love and faithfulness. That I would cling ever firmly to the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Lord, may it be so!
