silence
silence. the one word that would probably describe me the least. something that is not apart of my genuine makeup and i don’t enjoy it too often. but contrary to many beliefs even extraverts need a time of aloneness and internal debriefing. not often…but enough.
the journey i have been on has helped me with discipline in aloneness and quiet times but the shutting down of my thoughts is still an ongoing discipline process. i know there are times when i just need to sit; silent, and listen. this alone is still in process but is at its highest peak of awareness.
ironically, my life for the month of january is entering into a new type of silence. nothing i have had to experience before. i have had at several times in my life entered into six hours of silence and solitude. interaction didn’t occur with anyone except with my Heavenly Father. that was amazing, life changing, and bearable. what i am entering into now is something that will probably be one of the hardest periods of trust and reliance on God that i need to do.
due to our fourth country on the race being a “closed” religious country there will be silence from me from the beginning of january to the end. no blogs emails, or phone calls can exist. there are amazing ministries, churches, and pastors in this country who daily are fighting to spread the love and truth of the gospel of Christ. if through my communication with “my” world tells of their “mission world” than the ministry, churches, lives, are in danger of discontinuing and even death.
so in respect, reverence and walking in wisdom we as a team are walking away from communication and walking into a month of silence. this will not be an easy task for us as i know too, for my family, friends, and community back home.
even though silence may mean no writing or talking i feel that God has not called me to a complete lack of communication. prayer has been an ongoing passion and calling on me during these past months. i have been extremely grateful for this practice of interceding. the Lord has given me boldness, insight and authority like nothing before. this is the focus i believe He has asked me to, during my year of leave and this period of silence time from the outside world.
i have asked many from my U.S. community to send me prayers so that i may intercede on their behalf. this is where there will be no silence. truths, scripture, spiritual binding, and walking in faith and God’s authority during this time will reign forth. there will be daily communication with the God who listens, talks, and answers…no silence will be occurring!
i am asking you too. make this month of january a time of fasting, prayer and talking earnestly to a God who in our lives is never silent. prayer for yourself, others, our team…let this new year start off with thousands interceding on behalf of each other. even though i will be silent in the ordinary way of communicating, the creator of the universe, nations, mankind, wants our communication. our Father does not want silence with Him. there is amazing reassurance in this too, for those that know Him. i know that my God speaks. so there is peace that the Holy Spirit will tell others what and how to pray for me and my team during this time. there is an expectancy on my part also to seek Him for more insight and discernment when i am praying. if there are any prayers that have not be sent to me please send them! this is what God has asked me to do during this time.
lets embrace this time that has been given. it will be extremely hard especially for me, being thousands and thousands of miles away from my world and loved ones. but this will defiantly help. some prayers for our team: wisdom, self-control (with words and actions), discernment and timing for our words and sharing time. that the Lord will start now to prepare those that we will be allowed to plant seeds with. lift up the pastor’s and ministries that we will be working alongside of. prayer that our team will display a difference and love of Christ just within our actions and outward appearances with each other. for safety: (me, team, family, friends), travels, health, and ministries. that the government “eyes” will be covered and blind to our actions of sharing Christ’s truth. for loneliness and separation from communicating with “my” community. protection from the lies and schemes of the enemy and reassurance of who we are in Christ. unity for our team. faith and obedience to walk fully in His power.
i will let you all know when the silence has ended. any emergency news will be communicated. you may also check the world race website at www.theworldrace.org for any general updates that may be given. may this time be even more of a connection because we will be in silence together. blessings and much love.
