Well, my friends, there's nothing quite like pre-race jitters. Now that I have laid out my stuff for about the 15th time, I am looking at my last <24 hours here and thinking, "is this really happening?" Yup. And though I am a mixture of tears, excitement, and nerves; my heart is resting on the promises of God.
As far as packing is concerned, I was reading from Hebrews 10 yesterday and came upon this beautiful thought. It said: "You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded." I read this and thought, "oh my gosh, I am (in some senses) confiscating my own 'stuff' with every new swipe I make at reducing down the bag! Then I read on:
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, 'in just a little while, he who is coming will not delay.' And, 'my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in one who shrinks back.' But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
Hebrews 10:34-39
So there you go. Tomorrow morning I will get on a plane and I will NOT shrink back or be destroyed by fear. THIS is the time, and I trust that God has prepared our team for this moment, so there is absolutely no reason to doubt He will not keep providing. Cultures, languages, beautiful people who have the same deep joys, hurts, and holes in their own souls – here I came to listen, learn, and love you with my smile!
