I remember before staring the race, I was most excited for India. I had a good friend back in high school who was from there, and would tell me all about her childhood. I was so excited to go and experience the culture that she had told me so much about. I will say that hands down, India has been the most culturally rich place we have traveled to in my opinion. There are roots here that run so deep into the society that are still very evident today, both good things, and bad things. Overall, it has been a culture that I loved getting to be apart of. I have seen, and met some of the most beautiful women in the world here in this country. The beauty of the women, is marked by their hearts more so than their outward appearance, and it was absolutely breathtaking to be in the presence of women who physically, and spiritually shine at all times. India truly is a special place.
Aside from our host family who were so loving and made us feel right at home; and all the driving we did to get to the village churches to preach and testify for a couple hours and then eat dinner; or even the soda breaks we got every afternoon around 2:30pm, India was a great month of spiritual rest for me. The Lord told me that he simply wanted me to walk in the things that he had been teaching me, and live them out. There weren’t lessons to be read out of a textbook, then placed back on the shelf. They were ways to partner with his Spirit everyday, and listen to his words for myself, and for the body of Christ. In Ezekiel 3:10-11, the Lord tells him,
“Then he added, Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says! Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
We had a lot of down time in India and this gave me an opportunity to read the word for hours each day, and delight in hearing the voice of the Lord. He sowed things into my heart, from his word, and from the mouth of other believers. It was an amazing month of being immersed in what it looked like to be the body of Christ day in and day out no matter our circumstances. I used to get worked up about preaching and think to myself, what I have to say isn’t important enough, and people don’t care. Then the Spirit led me to truth in saying “ No. What you have is exactly what my people need to hear. I haven’t given everyone what I’ve given you. That’s why I created the body.” From that point on I was able to see it in a different perspective, and enjoy the Holy Spirit speaking through me because after all God says in Jeremiah 1:9
“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!”
It was never on me to turn the hearts of non-believers, it’s only my job to share the goodness of the Father for everyone to hear. It’s not up to me what they do with it, it’s only up to me to do what God has asked, and share his love. He will do the rest.
Love,
Alisha
