// 02.Mar.2017 //
Its 23:45 (11:45 PM for you non-nurses/army brats) and I’m lying in my bottom bunk unable to appease my mind so I may transition to slumber. I’m currently on an Island in the region of Penang, Malaysia. My thoughts are plagued with doubts and insecurities so I flip over and begin to pray. I simply ask my Heavenly Father to please put me to sleep and as I wake in the morning, guide my steps. Shortly after, He does. PRAISE.
// 03.Mar.2017 //
Its 7:00 (7:00 AM for you- never mind, I think you get it) and I awake to the sunlight peering through the ceiling into our room. I thank the Lord of giving me rest and ask Him, “What’s next, Lord?” The thought to brush my teeth and wash my face come to mind so I go with that to start. Following those two essentials; I read my Bible, pray, and have breakfast. Once morning routines ae finished, I ask the Lord again, “What’s next, Lord?” The thought to go for a run for the first time in months comes to mind and I roll with it. What happens next cannot be adequately described or even photographed, but I’ll try.
Every corner I come across during my run, I ask the Lord, “What’s next, Lord?” I end up running in a big circle 3 times only to return to home base for some water. After chugging down about a cup (I never drink enough water. I repent.) ask the question again. The thought to keep running came to mind and I really questioned this answer, but went with it anyways. God knows how truly out of shape I am so at least this is helping in that area. As I continue to feel guided by Him, I end up at the water front. I peer over the ocean and praise God for bringing me to this beautiful place where I now get to experience His beautiful creation! I feel the gentle breeze and am reminded of how Genesis tell of God’s presence moving as wind in the Garden of Eden. I peer over the crystal waves and think back on memories of learning to surf in San Diego’s shores. Overfilled with joy, I praise the Lord for bringing me there and get ready to head back. Before I begin my stride I felt the need to ask one more time, “What’s next, Lord?” As I ask, I felt the need to keep running. Internally, I say, “Okay Jesus, but I’m gonna run along this water to keep enjoying this beautiful view.” I think He was okay with that.
As I continue my run, I turn to this broken walkway shaded by a tree. I decide to take a minute to catch my breath and as I do, I notice an elderly Chinese lady staring at me. I love when people stare at me so I do the goofiest greeting I could muster up with what little breath I had left. She laughs in response then asks me, “Where are you from?” I reply and we continue to chat back and forth. Before I knew it, over an entire hour had passed! We actually spent over an hour sharing our life stories, faith, beliefs, desires in life, and so much more! That day, on a broken down walkway shaded by a tree, I got to share the gospel with this woman. Our conversation, accompanied by the sound of waves gently meeting rock, largely consisted of the Gospel. Eventually, her husband was calling because He was there to pick her up and it was time to say farewell. Before she left, she had me take down her Facebook name and phone number so we could keep in touch even after I left the country. The last thing she said really stuck with me. Her name is Chow Min Chiu and she was about 70 years old. The last thing Chow said to me was, “Jason, this was a divine appointment set up by the Creator.” After she left, I took this photo so I could better seal this wonderful memory in my heart.
As we go into our last 3 months, I simply ask, “What’s next, Lord?”
I invite you to do the same as well.
HIGHEST HOPES & DEEPEST PRAYERS
-Jason Love Albano
