The waiting game.
This thing, this game, has become a reality I can’t seem to escape. I sit at home, doing homework on my computer, going on a walk or run or playing fooseball with my little sister, as I wait in anticipation for more freedom of going out and about and having a more “normalized” life again. But this game mentality can also be a lens to see life. It is a game because I go through life, building a relationship of trust with God and longing to be with Him and at the end I hope to attain ultimate victory by going to heaven. But there is a few big things to remember about this game- 1) all the players have the same goal and it is not a race; 2) there is a second end, which is the end for those who do not want to overcome hurdles and take the easy road that leads to eternal punishment (basically loosing the game). We are all in the game. Certain choices lead down different roads. If our goal is heaven, then there are times when we move closer, through boldening our faith in God, and times we take steps back, when we sin. There are trials that cause us to “loose the next turn” or wonderful joys brought about by wonderful friends or opportunities allowing us to “advance 3 spaces”. To move each step, we must overcome some hurdle. Unfortunately with the complicatedness of life, overcoming the hurdles is not as simple as rolling dice and moving. It take a willingness in mind and spirit. But our end goal is heaven. HEAVEN!! My friends, we have the CHOICE to go live in eternity with Jesus- the door is open! There is a way and it is the ultimate destination of our “game”. It may not be easy, but that we could spend eternity at the table of God- with God!!– should definitely make it worth it!
I especially love this time of spring. Corona has stripped away everything that distracts us, the noise of the busyness of the world and leaves us with a profound silence. One that can either be a deafening because of our inability to sit and be in silence, or one that is beautiful if we have the courage to sit with God in it. This time of being stuck at home has caused me to go outside with greater intention of being alone (don’t get me wrong, I love my family!! Just need some space sometimes 😉 I love that with the spring, the old, dreary, brownness of everything seems to wash away and everything looks so much greener when it rains. Wildflowers pop up EVERYWHERE and the little brown trails cut into the lush grass in between a maze of trees- is so picturesque! And the birds!! They have such beautiful sounds and seem to chorus a song as they chirp in the morning dew and bring a smile to my face. This morning on my run I noticed all these things and my heart was in awe of their beauty. And I thought- God created all of this for me, because He loves me and wants me to experience a taste of the glory and splendor and beauty of Heaven! Heaven is alive on Earth!! How much more beautiful must Heaven be?! I can’t even begin to comprehend or imagine what magnificence it will be like! I know Earth Day was a few days ago- but seriously, take a moment to realize how wonderful this creation around us is!! Holy smokes! It is all made “very good” to Him, the creator and He loves it!
Haha so I definitely didn’t know where this blog was gonna end up, but it seems to have found a good place to stop and consider- what is your goal in life? Like if you narrowed it down to one single thing. What is it you want to accomplish? Is it to store up some sort of earthly treasures which perish? Or is it to go to heaven and bring others with you? And in doing so, you store up treasure in heaven, a treasure that is lasting and infinitely better than any imaginable (Mtt. 6:19-20). When I try to wrap my tiny brain around the huge mystery of being in eternity, I can’t understand it. I mean, it is a mystery! But I can more clearly realize that everything in this world is passing. What matters is the choices we make to determine where we want to end up. And I don’t know about you, but an eternity in glory of heaven with my Father who I owe my everything to, yet I still can inherit His kingdom sounds pretty amazing!! It makes me want to only do what I must to get there and leave everything else behind. So let us take this time of stillness, silence and waiting and give it to Him, to recognize the small hints of Heaven’s beauty and to allow Him to guide us ultimately to Heaven.
Now for a few quick updates-
1) Praised be Jesus, I am over half way funded thanks to all of you!! I am continually shown how God works through those around me of His providence and am so grateful for your support!! That being said, there is still a little less than half way more to go, so I continue to ask for your blessings and may God bless you!
2) Adventures in Missions has been keeping a good monitor of the way the Corona Virus is shaping the world and so as of now, my squad and I are still planning on Launching in September! If anything has to be changed, the final decision will be made by July 1, so there is definitely time for everything to settle down. If anything does change, I will let you know what is happening as soon as possible and if you have any questions, please reach out!
3) I am praying for each and everyone of you in thanks for your blessing on my life and that God would give you strength for what you are going through during this time! I ask for your continued prayers, in particular that I surrender my will to God’s, especially in this time of uncertainty.
If you have made it through all of that, you are a trooper! Thank you so much for y’all’s support and couldn’t do it without you! Look for the beauty of heaven around you in God’s creation today!
In Christ,
Abby
