God, you are an awesome teacher. You show your children the way, but not only do you show it to us, but you walk with us throughout everything. Lesson by lesson, you grow us and mature us to become more like you. Whether those lessons include hurt, uncomfortable moments, shame, loneliness, you’re there through it all. You teach us in the joy, the laughter, in the good moments too.
Father, you have been teaching me my whole life how to live and be more like you. Though in those moments throughout my life, I didn’t know you were teaching me, or even that you were there, I can now see the fruits of your faithfulness and the lessons you’ve taught me. Through the last 9 months, you have taught me so much, and I’ve been able to see it and appreciate it more than I ever have before.
1. The biggest lesson you’ve taught me is that everything is your will, for your purpose, in your plan. Everything is to ultimately bring you glory. Romans 8:28-29. God’s plan is good. Every tear that I’ve shed, all the brokenness I’ve seen and experienced, all the uncomfortable moments, and every ounce of hurt in this world. Down here on this earth there is evil surrounding us, your children. I’ve learned to understand your purpose for the pain that occurs here. It’s because sometimes it takes pain to realize who you are God. To realize and understand that you are strong in our weaknesses, you remain faithful when we are faithless, you are good when everything around us seems to be closing in and you are our rock, our solid foundation when this world is shaking. In all circumstances, we can rejoice in the Lord, in His love, care, wisdom, and faithfulness. Only you God can bring purpose out of others pain. Not only do you comfort us in our pain, but you conform us as well. You have been refining me through the fire God. Even when I didn’t hear you, I trusted that you were there, when I was homesick, you were my comforter and you reminded me that this earth is not my home. I met people who were poor, but not poor in spirit and they were full of your joy, through those people you showed me that all we really need is you, not materialistic things. Through their faith, they simply taught me that I can let go of everything in this world, but not be losing anything, because you are everything God. Those people have transformed my heart completely and changed my views on who you really are; my provider, my steadfast, my good and faithful father.
2. Another huge lesson you’ve taught me is that you will always have more for me than this world could ever offer. Before I packed my bags and got onto an airplane to begin this crazy journey, I was experiencing “fear of missing out”. Fear of missing out on what was happening with my family, my friends, at my church, holidays, etc. I didn’t want to be physically absent for those things and the fear of life going on for the next nine months while I’m gone was overwhelming. In the midst of that fear, God asked me “Bekah, are you afraid of missing out on the world and what it has to offer you, or are you afraid of missing out on me and what I have for you, which is so much more?” I was blown away by that question. I didn’t know how to answer, but of course I wanted what the Lord had for me and not this world. Like I said, this world is full of pain and evil, it disappoints. God doesn’t. He wants us to pursue Him relentlessly, to become more like Him. His blessings and His promises are more, so much more. This world is fallen, it offers nothing but brokenness and lies, but our father speaks truth. The world will always contradict God. The number one thing I’ve had to fix my focus on is that our God is a God that never ends, he never lets go, he never takes his gaze off of us and we should never take our gaze off of Him. Thank you Lord for giving me immeasurably more than this world could ever offer and for walking with me, and sometimes carrying me through this crazy journey called life. You are the focus, you are at the center, always.
3. Another lesson you taught me is that with you, love is abundant. That when I fill up my heart and soul with you and your love, I can pour out so much more than what I could ever do without you. You see, love is powerful, His love is powerful. Love can change hearts, it can change lives. When words aren’t enough, offer love, every single ounce of it. There are so many people in this world that have never known love, and by that I mean real love. I mean the overwhelming never ending love of the father. A love that doesn’t hurt, that doesn’t break, where nothing you do or don’t do could change it. When you allow God into your heart and into your life, love becomes the most important thing. When I have God, I can offer love. I have fallen in love with so many people around the world, and I have offered so much love as well, a love that’s only possible with God. When you have Him inside of you, people can see it, they can see it through who you are and how you love. Love is the most important thing. His love abounds, His love is abundant, His love never fails.
Those are some of the most important lessons that God taught me, lessons that transformed me. There are so many other moments and lessons that are weaved intricately into the past nine months. I sincerely hope that my words moved you, enough that they made you truly think. Though I would love to sit down with each and every one of you and tell you about every detail of this journey, I more so want to tell you how God changed me and taught me some of the most amazing things. So ask me specific questions. Ask me about the people I loved on. Ask me about the moments that moved me, and moments that moved me to tears. Ask me about the things God revealed to me and taught me. Ask me about how more amazing it is to live for God and not the world, how beautiful it is to step out in faith and take a risk. Ask me about how God made brokenness, beautiful.
I have never been so thankful for an experience like this. So I’m saying thank you, from the deepest depths of my heart. Thank you for supporting me, for giving me this opportunity. You have no idea how much it means to me, and these experiences will be held in my heart for the rest of my life. I’m blessed. Thank you for the prayers! God bless you.
Love, Bekah
