Things are a little different here in America. I am daily reminded of the past six months by things I see around me, but the similarities are small. The stray dogs of S. Asia have turned into pets behind every chain-linked fence. The beggars in the traffic circle have become men and women with cardboard signs. Here in America, the rich are even more rich; the poor are a little less poor. Yet, two things remain: God is still King and people will be lost unless they hear about Him. James and I firmly believe that, just like the day we arrived in S. Asia, we are here for the purpose of sharing with those people. I would go as far as to say that that is the reason we're alive.
That purpose is what James and I will be pursuing for the next season of our lives. What really resonated with me while living in S. Asia was how easy it would be to do what I was doing there back in my home town. I remember catching myself thinking, "If only I were back in Greeley. Then I could actually communicate my heart- God's heart- to people." Of course, that was early on in our time when I had had barely any language training under my belt(and trust me, God did plenty of wonderful things even with the language barrier!), but it made me realize how much I had taken my heart language for granted in America. I will not make that mistake again. I bear in my heart the most important message human ears will ever hear, and I will not forget what a gift it is to live in a town where people speak the same language as me. James and I have come back with the purpose of doing the same thing we've been doing for the past six months-except in America.
This realization has brought us almost to the same exact point in which we were standing the few weeks leading up to our departure to S. Asia. We're not sure where we will live, where our funds will come from, or even what our day-to-day lives will look like. My Israelite's heart wants to panic. I know I just saw God part the waters of the Red Sea, but part of me just wants to turn to the idol of self-reliance and comfort as I wait here at the bottom of this mountain. It amazes me how many times those silly people turned and complained against the God who had JUST provided them with something amazing. No wonder the psalms are filled with the word "remember". "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old," says Psalm 77:11. When I read my past posts like the one from April, I am reminded of the deeds and wonders of old. I am reminded of God's provision of a place (two, actually) to live, of the exact amount of funds needed to live overseas, and of the clear purpose in our day-to-day lives which we were shown. Remembering those things brings me to a state of humility in front of the God who I am crying out to for manna...then water...then quail. It also brings me into deeper state of praise. I can praise Him for what He's done, and also what He will do because He is worthy of that as well.
The human nature in us wants to be ashamed of talking to people about our future here in Greeley. "Well, we're not sure where we're going to live, or where our income will come from, but we know what God wants us to do and we're going to do it." That's not exactly what people will be expecting to hear when they ask us what we're "up to" these days. Nevertheless, after all that we've seen and experienced of God's goodness and faithfulness, how can we say anything else? Regardless of what Satan wants us to believe, it's not what others think of us that matters. God has given us a clear calling for our Everett day life (even more details to come later), and has asked us to follow Him in blind obedience.Will we forget His past goodness and turn to those idols of self-reliance and comfort? No, thanks. Lord, that we would be faithful only to You each and every day for the rest of our lives. Amen
