I hear the rustling of my squamates in the common space of our hostel in Belgrade, Serbia. What was once a triggering sound months ago is now sweet to my ears because it means I am still here with my brothers and sisters of J-Church. My eyes are closed and I am sitting in stillness entering the Lord’s presence. I began praying over the upcoming month of not having a host. I laid down my expectations of the miraculous and asked the Lord to teach me more of who He is. I prayed over the team I was about to begin living with and I asked the Lord to guide me through month 10. I played some worship songs to keep my heart focused on the Lord.
“Take care of My creation.”
The Lord whispered these words during a transition between songs. Then I saw a green meadow, there were bright green trees surrounding the opening and the suns rays broke through the leaves illuminating the soft grass.
“Take care of My creation.”
I opened my eyes and wrote these words in my journal. Excited for the month to come, I began to imagine what awaits us in Serbia. I dove into scripture about the Lord’s creation and the earth He has so wonderfully made.
But the earth isn’t the Lord’s only creation. My mind was then opened to a new perspective of what this next month might hold. God’s creation is also us. Our neighbors, storeowners, pastors, teammates and family members.
Psalm 24:1
“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.”
On May 12th, I wrote this journal entry:
I had an absolutely amazing day yesterday. It was so sunny and we got to do really fun ministry. We even filmed a surprise video for Mother’s Day! The Lord’s goodness has been so tangible recently. He has been giving me love, joy, and freedom and it has been incredible. I feel like I am really doing life with the Lord and that has been something I have always wanted. I have been continually reminded of what the Lord told me to do this month, “Take care of My creation.” I think this is going to be the theme of the rest of my life. I want to help take care of the planet and everyone in it. I honestly feel like I am living in my true calling right now. Everything gives me life.
I got to a point last month where everything I was doing gave me life. I was filled with joy and freedom despite the hardships and darkness that was surrounding me. I noticed this change when I started my day in the early morning outside on a run and then sat in prayer giving my day to the Lord. He would fill me up every day with joy, love, and grace. Since He filled me up every day, I was able to overflow and spread this love and joy with everyone I met throughout the day.
The Lord taught me that when we choose fullness in Jesus, we will truly be satisfied.
What I’ve been reading lately :
If by Mark Batterson
