i've been thinking about how the race is half over and how i'm going into month 7. This month our squad received 12 beautiful additions who we call the Exposure group. Two people were added to each team and this missions trip is to give them exposure of The World Race, of Africa, and what its like to do this, being a missionary. The girls and i sat down to talk about what we've learned so far on the race and i found myself asking,
"What have i learned?"
What has G-d taken me through and will this next 6 months look anything like the previous or something totally new?
Each month has been completely different, spiritually, physically, and ministry wise. There has been a drastic and a lot of times, culture shock each month we go into. Whether its the people or the language, i find myself mixing up phrases or words from previous months and saying things like
"Sawatika" (Hello in Thai)
"Aw Kun Traan" (Thank you in Khmai)
or the original "Por Favor" or "Gracias" (please & thank you in spanish).
And i can't ever forget "Nundree" (Thank you) in Tamal (Malaysian Indian) & now, i'm learning Ikinrwanda with "Beete" (Hello) and "Murekoze" (Thank You).
Talk about a melting pot in your head.
I can say i've learned several phrases in a variety of languages and i can definitely tell you the what not to do's when traveling because i've done them, but lets go deeper. What has G-d been doing on the inside of me, in my heart, with my life, and what has He been revealing to me.
I've learned when you are walking in the will of G-d & what He has for your life, things will never go as you plan. I feel like we conjure up these things in our heads of how a situation will look or how something will play out, at least how we want it to work, but G-d in His sovereignty and patience has a completely different plan.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the L-rd determines his steps."
[Proverbs 16:9]
I feel like the best thing to figure out is that you have nothing figured out. The minute you try to take things into your own hands is the minute you'll be unsatisfied, confused, and even questioning situations with "G-d, why is this happening? What are you doing?" Well silly, you have been taking things into your own hands and not letting the Creator do His job and drive the car of life.
Lesson learned – Get out of the drivers seat and let Papa drive. He knows the best way.
(If even right now, you are doing what i do so frequently… [Trying to take the wheel] Let me encourage you that even if it is one of scariest things you do, giving G-d full and complete control of your life is by far, the best thing you can do. He is faithful to direct your steps and lead you in the best way. The best way just doesn't always mean you have it all figured out. Listen to the G-d who holds the universe in the palm of His hand yet stays closer to your side then a brother (Prov. 18:24). He will never let you fall on your face and your life is ultimately for His glory, why would He let that fail?)
