For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved getting up early. Ok, I actually despise the idea of the dreaded wake-up. But, once I emerge from my bed, get a banana smoothie flowing through my intestines, and run a long run on that Santa Fe Trail in Colorado, I am lovinglife. While in Nepal, God gave me the idea of waking up at sunrise to worship and pray. I thought it was an epic idea. I didn’t go through with it, but it remained in the forefront of my mind. About a week ago, I was passed out on a bunk in a Nairobi hostel, sick. Tossing and turning, I couldn’t fall asleep. I had been feeling ill on and off for a few days. During that particular afternoon, I listened to Four Great Americans by James Baldwin as my entire squad was having a ball at a nearby park. I know, I know…it’s a children’s book, but who doesn’t like a good history lesson? I was refreshed by some of the quotes in perverted old Benny’s Poor Richard’s Almanac. Among these, of course was, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”Getting up early even makes sense logically and intelligently. I thought, “Maybe I will in fact try this sunrise thing…”
That very night, I went from feeling sick to more than sick in a matter of hours. On this last night of debrief, Stephanie was lying next to me and Natalie was cradling my head with a sopping wet quick-dry towel. I was crying and at one point exclaimed that I wanted to go home. My slight fever from the prior day had skyrocketed to almost 104. I was sweating, yet freezing. My head and neck ached despite my slight overdose of pain medicine and vitamin-c capsules. The entire squad crowded into my room to pray. I was anointed with oil. Peace began to overtake and quiet my mind. Though I felt like I could die, I was going to be okay.
Brittany, Stephanie, Katie, and Natalie hopped into a cab with me and we made our way to the Nairobi Hospital. After the nurse questioned me, she concluded that I would be tested for malaria and blood cell counts. We headed over to another part of the hospital for blood sampling. As we walked into the waiting room, Hillsong music was streaming through the place thanks to TBN on the overhead television. If you’re anything like me, worship music can turn a situation…quickly. There is something about revering God that makes everything all right. I suddenly craved His presence. His presence was there, this I for sure knew, but I wanted more. I wanted to go to the secret place at that instance. I had missed it deeply the few previous days. At one point, I tried to sit up to reach for my Bible at the end of the bunk, but couldn’t sit up all the way. Anyway, I wanted to get better only to worship the Lord with all of my heart. I was craving some much-needed filling up and pouring out. He was faithful to fill my heart that night as I lay on a row of hospital chairs with that sopping towel and my stuffed crab that I’m more than glad I brought even though nearing 24 years old.
I know that God allowed me to be sick for great reasons. I’m sure that the greatest of these is to be with Him. I’m sure there are other things He wants to teach me and I’m seeking them out as well.
The girls and I set some goals for our three months in Africa . . .
This morning was my first sunrise encounter with Jesus . . . and an African sunrise at that. I crave time in the secret place with my Father and best friend . . . even when I think I don’t. Even when I think I’m in no condition to even say a prayer, my soul ultimately finds rest in God alone.
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” –Psalm 42:1
I was recently reading in 1 Samuel about when the Lord called to Samuel in his sleep. He appeared to this guy multiple times. He kept calling and “came and stood” there as it says in 3:10. I never took notice to this. No, I am not Samuel. I am not a great prophet, but the Lord is calling. He is beckoning me like Samuel. He wants to prepare me for what is to come.
The malaria test was negative. My white blood cell count was really high and I had an infection in my throat. The doctors gave me two antibiotics. Three somewhat miserable days followed, but then I began to feel better. It may have been pushing my limits, but I went running yesterday in this gorgeous country. I couldn’t resist the red, rocky dirt roads, tall palm trees in the foreground, and small mountains in the distance.
This will be a glorious day in Tanzania.
Do you have a secret place? Do you go there? If not, do you want one? I urge you friends, family… go there. It’s nevertoo late. I am learning this. The Father longs to speak to us, to lavish His love on us all. He is speaking. Listen. Let’s go there. It is essential for the most abundant life.
Find that place . . . In southeast Africa, surrounded by the foothills of the Rockies, in the industry bustle of northern Delaware, on your college campus, as you watch the tide overtake the shore. Wherever you are.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart… Joel 2:12
