Yes, you must read this blog title to the tune of the classic Jesse McCartney song.
South Africa has been one of the most memorable countries yet. The amount of growth I have seen in myself is uncontainable. So here’s a little look into my life and what has been stirred in my heart as I prepare to leave this beautiful place.
Recently, these past two months I have struggled the most with really understanding and hearing the Fathers voice. I questioned if it was really some overbearing voice I am supposed to hear, because I definitely wasn’t hearing that. I fought day after day with God about why I wasn’t “hearing” his voice. I would wake up each morning and try to just sit in His presence, but still I got nothing. I was waiting to just hear something. Something to confirm that He was speaking into my life.
I was searching for the wrong thing but I was in the right places. I was at the Fathers feet, but I was not seeking him with all I had. I began to mistake my flesh for His voice. I became distracted by earthly things and began to even doubt that God was real. I was at His feet, but didn’t have my focus on Him. All along I’ve always known a relationship with God was a two-way street. He wanted all of me, and I needed to want all of Him to receive all of it. It all came down to one day, when I finally understood.
We have our off days on Saturdays, where we get free range to do almost anything. One of our native friends took us exploring around Cape Town. We drove on this gorgeous cliffside route along Chapman’s Peak. We parked the car as we walked to the lookout, I still had no idea of what God was about to speak into my life.
I climbed down the cliffside alone to just sit in the beauty that I am soon about to leave. I felt something upon my heart, prompting me to take my chaco’s off and just walk barefoot down the rocks. I thought to myself “This is really freakin’ stupid, why am I doing this”. I quickly put my chaco’s back on, not really understanding what had happened. As I sat on the ledge of the lookout, I kept hearing the words “Holy Ground”. I first thought, Taylor Swift is that you? Ha joke Then I began to think about what I was really standing upon.
I was barefoot on the ground that Jesus once walked upon. I was barefoot upon the same ground that God had created. He had created this beautiful country knowing that I, one day, would be walking through and around it. I confidently can say that this was God speaking to me. He places things upon my heart and that’s how He speaks to me. I don’t need a deep overbearing voice for me to hear the Father. I can leave that up to my earthly Father, shoutout to my rockin’ dad!!! I came home later that night and lwas curious about this holy ground that God was talking about. I came across this
“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground”
-Exodus 3:5
This was right before God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land. This was right before freedom was about to be released. God speaks to us in funny ways sometimes. It can be taking off your janky chaco’s to walk across the cliffside just to feel God say that He’s about to take you into a land flowing of milk and honey. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but the Promised Land is coming.
I still find myself mistaking the Lord’s voice for my flesh. I’ve come to realize anything that is good is from the Lord. So friends, You don’t need to hear an overbearing voice when the Lord is speaking to us. He likes to be unique, so let Him individually seek out each of you.
In other news, we are about to travel onto our LAST country, TOMORROW. I’m soon going to be in my most favorite place, Nicaragua!! I am beyond excited to share a love for a beautiful country with 45+ of my squadmates! Here’s to lots of Spanish and big hugs. Friends, please pray for prepared hearts and openness for whats to come. We also get to see our parents in one week!!!! PLEASE also be praying for safe travels and for their hearts to be prepared as well.
xoxo,
Vic
