If I've learned anything this past year of sabbatical it's that I am set free in Christ. I am free to run, to dance, and to go...
But I still wondered why nothing was working out. Then I prayed that I'd have peace for whatever He wanted. I have seen God's plans. They are usually a little different than my own and they seem to fall into place like a puzzle. Not always of course but a lot of the time. So when I re-looked into flights to Malaysia I found a new heart growing in me. Before this I did not really have a desire for Asia. I wanted to see history I had read about. I wanted small German pubs and late night walks through Italy. I still want to see and do all of that. However, I asked God to give me the heart He desired. I found myself a few days later watching a travel channel special on Asian cuisine and I felt like I just wanted to go ANYWHERE. It didn't matter what countries but just that I was going because I wanted to see more of God's people, more places, more cultures...
So that's what I am doing if any of you wanted to know. I am going because of the freedom I have in Christ. Without him I would have a world of burden on my back. Seeing the world would end at just that. It would have no eternal significance. I would come back unchanged (in spirit) and unbroken for lost people.
With Christ however, I can have joy wherever I go knowing that I have been adopted through the saving blood of Jesus Christ. My future is set with him. I can dance through fields, laugh with Heather, and look at the mountain tops all with JOY. I won't have to muster it up. My joy won't be because I can identify as a traveler or because i've been to X amount of countries. It'll be because Christ died and then he rose again and with his rising he breathed new life into my lungs.
I cannot wait to see more of God's creation. I cannot wait to do it with a sister in Christ. I cannot wait to worship Him as the rocks cry out. I cannot wait to meet new peopl
e and let Christ shine his light. I have no idea what it will look like. I have no idea what the Lord has in store. But in 2 months Ill be halfway around the world (Lord willing). I don't know for sure that all this will happen...I could die tomorrow, but I do know that my Joy doesn't change.
If you could join in prayer with me about this trip that'd be wonderful. Pray for:
-Heather to continually be encouraged by the Lord as she continues to teach in a place where his hope is unknown not only at her school but with her fellow teachers.
-God to work on the hearts of those we will meet. That our joy will exude from us in a very real way. That they may see his light and hope and be changed.
-Me to remain focused on the grace I've been given. That I wouldn't start to be puffed up in pride. That I would be constantly reminded of my desperate need of grace so that I can share my authentic joy with others and mature in this joy (to run this race with endurance).
