My mind is pretty one tracked and focused. I have a hard time being interrupted, once I have started whatever I have planned. It’s the daily tasks like reading my Bible in the morning, talking on the phone to my mom, having a one-on-one conversation with a friend, or scooping a pile of beans at dinner.
Just like the rest of the world I’m imperfect. Regardless of how much I try, I still am tempted to focus more inwardly, than outwardly. Because we live in a broken world, this is something that we have to choose to die to ourselves, daily in.
On the race, I live with 6 teammates at a time. This is intentional community, with specific structures geared to help us live in harmony. One of those is feedback. 5 days a week we pray and ask God if there’s anyway we can affirm the way one of us is modeling Christ, or politely construct if she is not. These are all biblically backed. Sometimes hearing a constructive one can be a tough pill to swallow, but in time it’s always a good thing. One piece of feedback I got a few months ago was to be more interruptible and approachable.
If I’m being honest, it annoyed me to hear this at first. I thought, I’m just more introverted. But after praying to the Lord He was able to convict me in a loving way, and support that feedback. Being an introvert means that I rest best alone. Preferring to not be interrupted during the day, was just a selfish practice that I was comfortable in. I liked my ‘me,’ time. Heck, I still do, but I have chosen to challenge myself to be more open to something that the Lord could have for me in this practice.
Jesus modeled this very well. While He was living out as a missionary, many people stopped Him. People would sit at His feet, which is turn completely detoured His days. He always had compassion and patience for them.
Today I saw some fruit from the harvest. This morning I was reading the Bible and meditating outside by myself. I love my quiet time in the mornings with a warm cup of coffee. I enjoy my prayer time and always leave feeling full. I looked up and saw a woman carrying a baby on her back, and a sack in her hands. I had never seen her before, and felt a nudge from the spirit to go talk to her. I turned down my urge to stay focused on myself and put down my stuff to say hello. She didn’t speak English so I just kindly waved and went inside. As I walked in my room I felt that same nudge from the spirit to go talk to her. I went back outside and found her eating leftovers from what I ate last night. My heart sank. I asked for someone inside to come translate for me. I sat with her and was informed that all she owned was in this sack and she was extremely poor looking for any extra food. I could see the Father’s love in her eyes. He led my speech and I gave her some encouragement about the living hope that is Jesus Christ.
As it says in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
She is a believer and shared her love for her savior as well. I was able to pray over her life and and humbly beg for the Lord’s provision and blessings in her life.
This concept of hope has been a reoccurring theme this month. I’ve met numerous people, whose realities are a complete 180 from the life I have back home. I’ll never truly know what it’s like to walk in the shoes of these brothers and sisters. It makes me sad and mad and very angry. But after all of those emotions, I’m reminded of just how essential it is to depend on the Lord in these times. And just how significant having faith in Jesus Christ is. By believing that He is our savior, we are then gifted the ability to have a relationship with Him on earth that is full of blessings, and an eternal place in heaven with Him. Hope is the most sustainable gift we can give to each other.
The power of prayer is only as big as the faith that someone has. If you can persevere with faith and hope, the opportunities for blessings are limitless.
Thank you as usual for the continued prayers, love and support you all have given me. It’s bittersweet to say that in a month I’ll be back in Michigan! Please keep my squad in your prayers as we travel to Uganda in the morning for country 11. xo
