Food for thought- or lack of food

This week has been one of preparation for the race in so many ways. First off, I worked this Easter weekend, and missed the family, although I almost saw everyone briefly. I also  have been having some bowel issues (dont worry, I wont go into detail), but they lead me to try a lemon water cleanse…48hours of only lemon water to cleanse your gallbladder and liver…. Needless to say, I did not make it the 48hrs with only lemon water to drink…Felt as though I was starving and my hands were shaking from a low bloodsugar… The caffeine withdrawls didnt help either….

       But it made me think. I am going to offer people hope in Christ, but I am unable to suffer as they suffer… I know when you dont have a choice to eat, it makes it easier not to eat..there is nothing for you to eat… but 24 hours with only sour water to drink, it wasnt fun. However, it is still clean, fresh and cold… Not anything to complain about.

Also this week I looked at my finances and my fundraisers. Everything is coming along very nicely. But as I lay in bed creating notes for an upcoming presentation of the trip, I realized that here in Canada, I take more than just fresh food, and the food of my choice for granted. I take my freedom of speach, freedom of "religion", the freedom to be whatever it is God has called me to be. There is no threat of famine (Rwanda). There are no laws restricting me from forming a group in the streets and peaching Gods word, there is no law that says I can't wear camo pants (Uganda), there is no law saying I cannot offer Jesus to the muslims (Malaysia). Now my work does restrict me from preaching to my patients, but it cant stop me from caring for them (it actually wants me to… and I can pray in my head for them)… and when I meet them at the grocery store, I can just let Him do His thing through my life or words. We have FREEDOM, yet what do we do with it?

I guess,  what I am trying to say is. This race is not a vacation, it is not a warm and fuzzy feeling. It is going to be heart-wrenching, love-testing, God-given adventure that will come with many challenges. Physical, emotional, and Spiritual. God has to have full control, or I will fail. He has to have my everything, or I will be overwhelmed. He has to be my centre, my life.

Galatians 5:13
  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.