Living in America after 9 months of dramatically different cultures can be difficult. American culture is a night and day difference compared to the desert of Peru or the Indian cities. Learning how to live missionally in day-to-day life isn’t easy, but the Father is good. And this is a truth I’ve stuck to since landing at home 3 weeks ago.
Project Search Light is an event with Adventures in Missions that helps with this transition. A week in Gainesville Georgia back together with the people I journeyed with filled with worship, speakers, and genuine conversation about how to re-enter America well. The schedule is filled with helpful information, but this morning I felt a little too full to receive any more words. I asked a friend to record the morning sessions for me, and off I went to a coffee shop to sit and be with the Father.
As I sat listening to worship music and drinking my coffee, I noticed the Lord’s hand at work in the tables around me. What seemed to be businessmen discussing work turned out to be businessmen sharing about the Lord’s goodness in their lives. They began to pray together and thank the God of all for His hand in their businesses. This was happening at two tables near my own, and I was brought back to a song sung yesterday during worship. The specific lyric sings
“it may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.”
This felt so perfect to me. One of my fears in coming back to the states was that I wouldn’t see the Father as often in everyday moments due to feeling surrounded by distractions and obligations. Of course, the Father knew this and placed me perfectly to show Himself in the way I needed.
We live in a free nation that criticizes freely following Christ. I hear this is the news, in conversations, and in moments of disapproval between others. Seeing the Lord’s boldness and freedom in these men today encouraged me. They weren’t afraid of what anyone would say, they were simply talking to our Father, the Creator of all. He is at work in the nooks and crannies of life – even in the corners of coffee shops.
My prayer for myself and for you reading this is this:
Abba Father,
I pray now for our nation. I pray for Your children as we seek You out day to day. You are the One who fully sees me for who I am, and for that I am thankful. You are gracious, You are forgiving, and You are love itself. I will never stop praising You for loving me the way You do. Please reveal Yourself to our nation in ways we can’t deny are You. I pray you help me bring You to the places that need it most.
It’s in Your Holy and Precious name I pray,
//
Some of my favorite worship songs at the moment!
“Simple Gospel – Live” by United Pursuit
“Came to My Rescue – Live” by Hillsong Chapel
…and I recently discovered Red Rocks Worship! Do you have any favorites from them?
