It was more than a year ago but I remember the night clearly. I was nearly sobbing as I confessed to my friends at small group that I was terrified of not figuring out what God wanted me to do with my life. I didn’t have a clue what job to pursue, where to move to, or what to make a priority as soon as my job ended in December. I couldn’t hold back the tears that came from these fears. But Emily, Paul, Jeremy, Dan, and Tom encouraged and prayed for me that night, and I was grateful for it. …
Just a little while later, I was hangin’ out with some of my girls from work at Samaritan’s Purse, Ginna and Nichole. (hey girls! I miss you!) I remember the conversation clearly…we were discussing our hopes/plans/dreams/fears about the future and what we might do when our internships ended in December. As I began sharing some of my dreams with the girls, Ginna said–and I remember the moment clearly–“Have you ever heard of the World Race?”Yep. It’s been just about exactly one year since I first heard about the Race. Now I’m sitting in a little cafe in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and my mind can’t comprehend what’s happened in that year. We’re beginning month four of the Race, but every day I live out this crazy missions trip I remember how faithful God has been to bring me to this place.
Verses 5-6 say “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Last month in Vietnam, God gave our squad many visions relating to light and fire shining in (and banishing) the darkness. Vietnam was spiritually dark…and now we are in Cambodia, which is even darker! About 93% of the population here is Buddhist, and the horrible recent history of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979) weighs on this nation with a spirit of death. During that time, about 2 million people were executed or starved or worked to death. We as Christians know that the one true HOPE is found in Jesus Christ, but most in this country do not know that, and the darkness of death and captivity is heavy.
Anyways, that was a tangent. The real reason I’m writing this blog is to reflect on the past year and encourage all of you back home. We know that the American economy is continuing to fall, and many may face harder times than they’ve ever known.
But I am here to TESTIFY that the LORD GOD is WITH YOU….he truly is might to save, and he will never leave or forsake you. No matter what the economy or job market or your bank account or stocks look like, keep your eyes on God. He WILL provide!
Verses 16-19 says “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”
I know that God is good and that He will take care of you, no matter what it seems like in the material world. Be encouraged and keep your focus on the Kingdom of God, not on the kingdoms of men!
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in times of trouble.” (verse 39)
