Sunday, March 22, 2015

3/22

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

This morning as I sang these words at church, I sang them with great heavenly anticipation:

"Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory, glory
My soul it overflows full of your glory, your glory
Oh blessed is he who reigns, full of your glory, your glory
My cup, it can't contain all of your glory, your glory"

God currently has me in a season of life that seems to be filled with great sorrow and oftentimes, hopelessness. There are times throughout this experience where God feels so near and others when I have to fight for truth and light.

It's difficult to choose joy and is truly a battle when it seems like my circumstances offer an endless amount of sorrow and only a small helping of joy. It's difficult when it seems like I'm using all of my strength to stay afloat and I have little left to use to serve. But it's in those times of crippling weakness that I undeniably know that I am in need of a heavenly supply.

I can't wait for a day when, like the Bible says, there will be no more sorrow or weeping. But until then, I can choose to sing, not only in the absence of pain, but even while weeping.

"Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper." You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." 

It's when I'm in the valley that I can sit beside my Savior and ask him for comfort. "He was a man acquainted with sorrows" and knows the depth of our pain. He can sympathize and comfort because he has been there and conquered it all. 


I am reminded that times of sorrow do not indicate an absence of love. In fact, it was in a time of deepest sorrow that love abounded on the cross. Thank you Lord for the suffering that lead to our redemption!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

3/16

The Lord is teaching me the art of being passionate with where I’m at. Although my heart wants to be back in Boston, He is reminding me of the work that is still left to do in Tallahassee. Tonight as I prayed for short rounds and a talkative Night staff to pass the time (keeping up a conversation with a stranger is hard to do for half an hour), the Lord faithfully gave me what I asked for.  

For half an hour, I was able to spend time with a not so fond of Christians, Chinese and Buddhist studies major, originally from Boston. As I walked and listened to my new friend, I also couldn’t help but marvel at God’s sovereignty and love for people.

A few days ago the mission had been to share the hope we have with people in Boston. Now the mission was to love a college student in Tallahassee.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."


Witnessing to the ends of the earth means being faithful and present now. As God has been reminding me in Exodus, he goes before and behind us. God promises to give us grace and direction as we move. 

In Boston as we rode public transportation each day, it was easy to just put in headphones or talk to friends from our group. It wasn't until a few days into the trip that God reminded me of something that was said before we started: to "redeem my time" as I traveled. As I thought of it more and more, I realized how wasteful it would be to not make use of every opportunity in Boston. The travel time was just as important as planned projects and ministry. To neglect to pray and talk with the people around me just because I was waiting until I get off the bus to do so is just unwise.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.…"
Ephesians 5:16


This mindset of  redeeming our time as we travel doesn't just apply to organized missions trip, but to the entirety of our time here on earth. How different would our days look if we lived less like we were on vacation and more like we were on mission?