There are two sides to every story. Every thought has a counter thought. Situations can always be looked at from the other side of the road. I am finding that the road in life is not about the end result or the mountains that have been placed in your path, but rather the manner in which you choose to climb them.
Before coming to Ghana we gathered as a team under the Mango trees to pray for the month we would spend here. We asked for protection over travels, understanding of the culture, and new life to be put in us in order that we would be able to pour into this ministry and leave it refreshed. We also prayed for words. Words to describe the next month and what God wanted to do in our own hearts as well as the hearts of those surrounding us. Over and over the word rest kept coming into my mind. Rest… Rest…
This seemed strange because in ministry was limited in the Ivory Coast making it seem like we spent a good amount of time waiting for things. I see now that waiting and actually resting are two very different things.
After spending 13 hours on a bus with the entire squad, saying goodbye to the majority of our group, sleeping for 6 hours, and another 7 hour bus ride we arrived at the hotel in Sunyani, Ghana. Before going to sleep in the very firm king sized bed I share with two other girls I thought back to the word rest and closed my eyes.
The next morning we were met with a feast for breakfast before being driven to Elim City Church to meet the pastors and learn about the history of Ghana, the history of the church, the vision of this church, and what our roll in helping to bring about that vision in the church would be. The pastor was delighted with our zest for serving and after explaining all the great ministry opportunities he had in mind for us he told us we were to have two half days off weekly instead of one full day. I was incredibly excited to be joining in and working. This sort of ministry is the reason I signed up to go on the race. But does that sound like rest to you? That evening I looked God dead in the eye and let my face show him all the confusion I was feeling.
We have been very busy. Every day we are up relatively early for breakfast before the bus comes to pick us up for corporate devotions at the church. Together we pray through the day seeking direction, divine encounters, protection, and understanding. Together we read through the word and soak in the goodness of the Father as we read the words he breathed into paper so that we might never be lost. This time is precious to me. It is gentle and full to overflowing with the goodness of God.
Evangelism comes next. We go out into the streets, college campuses, and villages learning the names of the people, speaking words of encouragement, praying over those who wish it, and leaning into each other as we go through the day together. Lunch greets us back at the hotel followed by a short time for us to rest before heading back to the church for a little more evangelism before evening services.
Through all of this I have been searching for the rest that had been promised in the beginning. Where is the lesson of peace in the fast pace of the day? It was in the stillness of a single moment that the answer came. Rest doesn’t always mean sitting in quiet or sleeping. Rest can be a safe place in your mind that flows into the events of the day. I found that It wasn’t more time needed to rest that he had in mind, but simply a state in which to live. Rest in my arms… which leads back to entrusting my everything to his care. I have found this rest to be more fulfilling than any other I have sought after.
All for now through the eyes of a storyteller…
