In case no one else had brought it up, I would have given myself a thorough slap on the wrist for how long it’s been since I last posted. Sorry friends.
What you should know is that God is good! I’ve been reflective of late and come to several conclusions about the lessons God is teaching me. For example, I’ve thoroughly renounced the “it” myth. No longer am I on the hunt for perfection. The perfect job, the perfect wife, the perfect community, the perfect ministry. It’s all a myth. You know why? Because God does not want me to live discontent in where He has me. Any time I am able to label a season of my life as lacking “it”, I live in discontentment.
Instead, I’ve begun to embrace that God moves in seasons. One season may have more “it” (ie. the things I love and of which I am passionate) than another, but never is there any season that God us dissatisfied with where I am. He leads me into seasons and out of them. There’s value in it all because my ultimate goal in life is to love God and be loved by him and to love others and receive love in return. It sounds so abstract, but nothing could be more determining of my actions on a daily basis than these principles.
Two weeks or so ago, we hosted yet another training camp where 54 men and women came to prepare for a trip around the world. 54 stories, backgrounds, hurts, joys, loves, preferences and the like all converged in Gainesville, GA because at the core of their being, they believe there is something more to be gleaned from our journey. They will be embarking on a season of pilgrimage, a journey of self-discovery and an encounter with God. It’s going to be wonderful, terrible, beautiful, repulsive, and everything in between. I can’t wait to watch their journey unfold, I believe in them, it’s why God has me here and I am so fulfilled.
Tomorrow, me and some friends are going on a trip ourselves. But this trip is about replinishment, refreshment, re-energizing and checking-in with the Lord. Now before I over-spiritualize it, we’re going on vacation to the Bahamas where God has provided a place to stay free of charge to us! But it’s interested to watch God lead my heart as I look ahead to this time of rest. What I’ve realized is that I want to be intentional with this time. I’ve not had a single break in 11 months. That’s right, 24/7 (and it’s been a lot of 24 and 7 being on call every moment of every day). I’ve gotten phone calls from half-way around the world in the middle of the night, I’ve had weekends away buying emergency plane tickets, it’s become my lifestyle to be available and it’s more than I could have ever wanted or asked for.
But as Ecclesiastes says, there’s a time for everything. And now is the time to rest. Pray for me as I seek the Lord in my time away. Pray also for additional provision as I need about $2,000 to finish out my year of support raising. I am humbled by all that God has provided including my monthly supporters who so often continue supporting even when I do not take the time to report back on the fruit of their gifts. It’s overwhelming, it’s wonderful.
So until after a break….
