I’m running to the secret place
Where You are,
I sing to You of all the ways
You stole my heart,
Better is a moment that I spend with You
Than a million other days away
I’m running, I’m running
I’m running to the secret place
Hands are lifted high, hearts awake to life
Where does time go? Just a month ago, I was walking across the stage at graduation and saying goodbye to a beautiful season of life I cherished for four years. After that, I hit the road for Montana with one of my dearest friends as we adventured and rested in God’s creation out west. It has been two weeks since I have been home. Between spending time with family, unpacking, reconnecting with old friends, and making a new set of mugs to sell, I cannot believe how fast time is flying by…After all, I leave for the World Race in JUST FOUR MONTHS.
Running to the secret place is my theme for this season of preparation.
In this season of transition, I am reminded of the importance to be still before my God.
To get away with Him.
Allow my spirit to come alive again as I’m romanced by the Creator and His love.
Traveling to 11 different countries might seem like a glamourous trip at surface level, but I am quickly reminded how hard this is actually going to be. Yes, it will be one heck of an adventure, but man, it is going to break and humble me.
John 10:10 has been on my heart recently as Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The more I interact with people who have been on the race or who are currently on the race, the more I am constantly told that this mission trip isn’t for everyone. I have even been told that many people end up leaving early because it is too emotionally and physically wearing. I understand that not everyone is called to do a trip like this, but a part of my heart comes alive at the thought of being at the front lines of this battle. Nevertheless, I don’t want to be ignorant to the exhaustion and pure evil I will face and therefore lose heart. I want to step into this battle with the belt of truth confidently wrapped around me. As much as I can, I want to prepare my heart for this trip and that only comes from running to the secret place and spending time with the Lord on my knees in prayer. While spending time with the Lord this week, Jesus whispered into my heart that no matter what evil, brokenness, discouragement, destruction, or death I might see, His heart is to bring life and bring it to the FULL. How humbling it is that He wants to use me and each and every one of us to bring life to places and people who have been robbed of this freedom. When we seek His face throughout our day, we are given the grace to see things the way He does. I want to be more like Him every day. I want my words to be His. I want His love to pour out through me. Ashley Nirmalnath alone, has nothing good to offer this world. It must be Him through me. Therefore, relationship with Him every day is where my source of strength, joy, and love will and can only come from.
This trip isn’t about me.
It’s about God interacting with His children all around the world like a dad would interact with his son or daughter with intimate endless love. And somehow I get to be the middle person that communicates this message of love, life, and freedom.
I share this with you to tell you that this journey I am going on with the Lord is also your journey. I could not be doing this without my community praying and financially supporting me. As you partner with me in the journey, you share in the fruit that comes from my life during this trip. I am so humbled by all the encouragement and financial support I have already received and I want to be faithful in sharing every step of this journey with you. I know for a fact I am going to learn so much during my time away and my hope and prayer is that you would also gain revelations through my experiences and that your heart would be compelled by love to apply those truths in your own community.
We are called to represent the Lords heart towards His beloved people every given moment. Today, I encourage you to get away with Lord and rest in His presence. Run to the secret place. There is life and freedom there! As you face a new day, ask the Lord what does love look like today, and see what he does through you.
