How would I describe my time in Nepal? Well, it’s been growing, stretching, challenging and good.
Throughout this month my team and I have been able to live with and walk alongside a group of believers. It’s really cool to walk out life with people from other cultures and other parts of the world. There’s always something to learn. Not to mention it’s just so awesome to see how the Lord made all of us so differently. Yet, we are all the same in Christ.
This month has definitely been a little different for me. Life on the Race can be hard. I won’t lie to you. You don’t really think about that when you sign up. You just think about all the adventure and excitement of getting to serve the Lord overseas. While the fun, exciting, amazing moments outweigh, it still can be hard. There have been times in the past 7 months where I have asked myself “What the heck are you doing, Jodi?!” because it gets hard. I have asked myself so many times “Is this even worth it?”.
So, the other day I started to really ask myself and the Lord, ‘Why is this hard?’. I very quickly came to the conclusion that it gets hard because we are pushed out of our comfort zone. Sometimes you are sleeping in a damp room, your clothes won’t dry because it rains every day, and you’re using a squatty potty. There is a language barrier everywhere you go, and the food is different. You have about 3 outfits that you wear. Sometimes you have a rash all over your body and your hands have huge chunks of skin peeling off (yep, it happened). The list goes on.
However, as I thought about all of this, the Lord opened my eyes to see that I put a lot of my hope in comfort. As Americans, I think we all do. Believe it or not we live a very comfortable life. The Lord began to speak to me and help me to see and understand that just because I’m uncomfortable doesn’t mean that He’s not still good. Just because I’m uncomfortable doesn’t mean I can make this all about me. Just because I’m uncomfortable doesn’t mean the Race isn’t worth it. Just because I’m uncomfortable doesn’t mean He isn’t still on the Throne.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
When I think on this verse, I’m reminded of the old hymn (that will forever remind me of my GG) that goes:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.”
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. This verse isn’t intended to make me feel like the Gospel is all about me. It’s simply stating that because I belong to Jesus, it is promised to me that HIS goodness and mercy WILL follow me. Not because I deserve it. Because of what Jesus did for me (and you) on the cross, He allows us to enter into communion with Him. When our hearts belong to Jesus, His goodness and mercy will follow us. No matter what. Does that mean things are always going to be easy? NO. Does that mean that everything will go my way in life? NO. Do I get frustrated in my walk with the Lord sometimes? Absolutely. Do I understand everything? Absolutely not! However, does it mean that I know the God whose promises are true? YES. Does God promise to take care of me and provide for me? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
Following Jesus is a choice. We, as Christians, have to take what we know, what we believe, and what we have tasted and seen to be true…and choose to follow Jesus. We have to trust that His goodness and mercy will follow us. Even if that means it may be hard. That doesn’t mean you have to hop on a plane and fly to a different country. It may mean staying right where you are and walking out your faith. Regardless, it means just simply choosing Jesus. Everyday.
I’ve been pondering writing a blog on this for while because I feel like if there is one thing the Race teaches you, it’s to learn to be completely content in whatever circumstance. We can either trust God and trust in His sovereignty or we can try to do everything our own way. When we remember that His goodness and mercy will follow us no matter what, what do we have to fear? Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely don’t have it all figured out. I am still learning all this stuff every single day. But I know that my God has His hand on me. I am forever thankful for that.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you, whoever you are. My team and I will travel to meet up with our squad and have debrief for a few days before we jet on out of here.
Nepal, you are a beautiful place. Your mountains are beautiful. Your people are beautiful.
Namasteeeee! We out. *peace sign*
