After “patiently” waiting in line for hours, it’s finally
your turn to take a seat and let the ride begin. The anticipation has been
building since you walked to the back of the line. As you inched your way to
the closer to the starting line, you have heard endless conversations about how
this is the best ride of your life. You have listened intently to all the
details and can’t wait for it to be your turn.
And then it begins, you speed quickly into the darkness in
just a matter of seconds. The bright lights from the sun, the laughter from all
the people still waiting in line, and every other comfort is gone! You cling
tightly to your seat, because that is the only thing that is going to help you
survive the ride. As the roller coast plummets hundreds of feet down, you
scream at the top of your lungs. Before you know it, you are twisting, turning,
spinning, and flipping through the darkness! You take a breath of fresh air as
the machine climbs slowly to the top of a mountain. There is a brief moment
with light and calmness. Then the chaos starts all over again. BUT there is
light at the end of the tunnel. Just as quickly as the ride started, it ends
back in the light with all the commotion and laughter filling the air. As you
climb out of your seat, you think through the ride, remember the thrill it gave
you and the way you overcame all the obstacles. Then you say to yourself “I
want to ride again.”
Team Rapha has been on an emotional roller coast the past
couple of weeks…
After an amazing month in the light of Romania, we have had
to cling tightly to our seats (Christ) to survive the ride this month! We all
joined the race knowing there were going to be flips, turns, highs, and lows,
but one never know when they are going to take place. Within the first few
days, we could feel the oppression or darkness of this country. Our worlds were
turned upside down battling the spiritual warfare that satan placed before us. Yet
again, all the comforts of the western world were stripped from us leaving us only
able to cling to the Lord! It seemed as if one obstacle after another was
placed before us. We have had to hold tightly to the word of God, the promises
he has given us, and looked to Him for our strength to make it to the end of
the month. But just like the ride, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
There was no stopping in the middle or turning back, we had to persevere to the
end so we can get the full experience. And when the month ended, it left us
wanting more.
This
month has by far been the hardest for me, but I have also experienced the most
growth. When all our comforts are taken away, the Lord is all we can cling to.
I have learned the true meaning of perseverance, the power of prayer, the
security we have in the Holy Spirit, and how my strength comes only from the
Lord. As scary, frustrating, challenging this month has been, I would do it all
over again if it means my relationship with the Lord will grow that much more.
