righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hosea 10:12
A few
days before we came to Africa, our squad was worshipping one night in Bolivia,
and we started to sing the hymn “Oh the Wonderful Cross.” God really showed me
that night a picture of His Son on the cross crying out in agony over the lost.
The vision was so real, I felt like He was right there, above me hanging. And
there was nothing I could do. Even writing this now gives me the goose bumps.
At the same time that I truly felt the wonderful cross, I involuntarily broke
down and cried a deep belly sobbing cry. So many many things ran through my
mind in one second, it was overwhelmingly thick. The realization of the Truth
of the sacrifice, the distressed cry of those who like me, put Him there only
to want so desperately for Him to come down, the love displayed, all wrapped
into one. I think that heart realization was a building block for me as I
headed into Africa. Here, it seems my new song is “I cannot hide my love” by
Enter the Worship Circle (second circle), I wish I could play it for you now.
But the whole song is about being so in love with God, consumed with dancing,
enthralled in just the essence of who He is. And proclaiming this love with acts
of service, still soaking, deep cries, and unspeakable joy. Isn’t it ironic how
dancing follows mourning and healing comes after brokenness?
has showed me the Lord in new ways, how infinite simplicity is far better then
finite complications, the necessity of walking in the authority He has given
us, leaning into hope, the importance of unity, more of His astounding physical
beauty in the soft eyes that recognized the Jesus in me too, soaking in His
presence, amazing nature, intercession, and how He creatively provides for His
children. I have realized that the more I pursue this Christian walk- the more
my heart becomes alive; the more my heart becomes alive- the more the rest of
me follows suit. Recently, a person made a comment to me about how hard it must
be traveling the world seeing so much heart ache and pain, and hopeless
destruction. Honestly, that is probably the assumption of most. However, after
visiting the cross, and finding myself involuntarily dancing out of complete
love, His strong and prevailing essence breaks any sense of hopelessness and
poverty. Being a Christian, I cannot help but be so thrilled to see Him at work
in these days. To embrace Him is to shout from the ashes and the tops of the
mountains that He is Glorious, Awesome, Mighty, Incredible, Peace, King,
Obedient One, Papa, Love, Precious One, Healer, Answer, Caller, Faithfulness,
Creator, Ruler, Judge, Righteousness, Breath of Life.
May it
be our unified cry to dance out of the ashes into declarations of hope
restored. Thank you for your support in sending me to Africa. May the Lord
bless you this day with deeper intimacy in your walk with Him. May He water
your soul and bring you beside His loving peaceful pastures.
Please
pray for me and the squad as we head into India for the next 6 weeks. Hinduism
and idol worship is everywhere, and I can guarantee that there is thick
spiritual warfare. Pray for protection and discernment as we minister and travel.
Our emails will be monitored by the government, so contact will be very
restricted.
