Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
I recently returned from a two-week trip to Zimbabwe, Africa with a group from my church in Kentwood, Michigan. This was my first trip to Africa, and as I reflect on my experience there the overwhelming sensation that stands out in my mind is “Spirit.” The Spirit of God was present, powerful, and pervasive in nearly every situation I found myself in.
The day we arrived in Zimbabwe we ran a youth retreat for young adults. The theme for the retreat was Flesh vs. Spirit and we spent time unpacking the “flesh” and the “Spirit.” We talked about the power of the Spirit over the flesh and tools for walking in the Spirit. We each had a small group where we were able to spend time getting to know the participants individually and talk to them about their struggles with the flesh and the Spirit.
Secretly, I was struggling internally with my doubts and inadequacies. Thoughts kept running through my mind like, “how do you think you can lead a small group about this when you struggle to walk in the Spirit?” and “how am I supposed to connect with them when I really do not understand their daily struggles?”
I prayed for my interaction, and as I asked questions of the girls in my group I got to see how God was moving in their hearts and lives and transforming them. I don’t think I will soon forget the look in their eyes as they realized they had POWER in the Spirit that they could claim. I was reminded of the power of the Spirit that is in me.
We also had the opportunity to visit two orphanages and a feeding center while we were there. The number of children with no parents and no place to go was staggering to me. My heart melted as I held babies, sang children’s music, and taught them the memory verse, “When I am afraid, I will trust in God.” God reminded me that He is big enough to take care of all their fears and my fears too.
One of my favorite moments in Zimbabwe was at a women’s meeting in one of the lady’s backyard. We had tea
and were chatting with each other when all the sudden a few of the women started singing. Within moments all the ladies were on their feet singing beautifully, dancing, and raising their hands to the Lord. I was momentarily stunned, and then I got up with the other women in my group and joined in. I didn’t know the words, but it didn’t matter. It was all about God. Loving God, praising God, and seeking God. Afterwards I felt so blessed to have had that experience and humbled at my own inhibited, self-conscious nature when worshipping that seems “normal” in America.
All in all, Zimbabwe was a wonderful, beautiful place where the Spirit of God is alive and well in the midst of hardship, sickness and poverty. It is impossibly to truly describe what took place over there and how the Spirit moved. Their desire to know God and their genuine dependence on Him brings their faith to levels I have rarely seen before. We went to spend time with them, to encourage them, to try to meet some of their basic needs, and we left feeling humbled, blessed and challenged. The effect was exhilarating and exhausting. It only took me three days to begin praying a prayer I will probably be praying a lot over the next year:
Jesus, please open my heart, break down my walls, continually bring my focus back to you and give me the energy for tomorrow. Amen
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there truly is freedom. For me one of the greatest freedoms I have is the freedom to be transformed into His likeness. I love how the verse says we are being transformed with ever-increasing glory. Sometimes the transformation does not feel glorious. Sometimes it feels downright ugly as I struggle with my flesh and I learn what it means to trust in God. However, no matter how “ugly” it feels I know that my transformation has little to do with me and everything to do with Him. In His time, in His way, I am being guided down a path of growth, love, and a Spirit-filled life of freedom. That path took me to Zimbabwe where I was reminded of the great power of the Spirit that transcends all human boundaries and it is taking me on the World Race.
Please pray for the people of Zimbabwe and for me as I prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for the World Race.
