There have been many times along our journey here in the DR where we questioned what God is doing and how. How are you (God) going to use this (insert stressor or hardship here)? And I must admit the past week has been extra full of these questions and thoughts and unsureness. The work continues to move along but we have had several setbacks and frustrations to the point we have asked if we are doing any good or helping anyone here. And I will admit we had some down moments, but what is so amazing about God is that He always reminds us (even through these doubts and questions) that He is sovereign. Tuesday was a specifically rough day (following a rough Monday) after having several issues and a morning of meetings that let's say were tough and frustrating as the receiver was unwilling to hear any advice or wisdom or simply correction. The meeting ended and I felt heartbroken. Not because of what was said but because it would appear that the last year and a half here has done nothing. J and I each spent time praying and seeking God, and J came back with wisdom from the book of Job. (specifically Job 38-39) God gently reminded us who we are. We didn't measure the sky. We didn't set the foundations of the world. We are not in control of nature and feeding it and birthing it. This is God's, not ours. So who are we to take this time and this work and proclaim it as ours? God may take this time and revamp all of AIM and our staff and the world, or God may take this time and it may fall apart, but this is not up to us. He has called us to obedience and seeking Him through every work and decision. We are not in control of the decisions of those around us but merely can offer what God has placed in our life and heart. And if God sees fit to change the world through this, praise Him for it is His doing!
So how are we? We are good. We are working through this trial and time. We are praying and seeking God for His direction. Yes there are tears and heartache, but we know He is guiding us. He is the lion walking next to us and comforting us against the edge of the precipice in the dark (The Chronicles of Narnia - the Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis). He is loving on us while shaping and molding us to be more like Him. So as I have said so many times, we are humbled and grateful for these trials because I am coming to know God more intimately than before. We are humbled and blessed to be called to this work and this life. It is not always easy or fun or relaxing, but it is good.
“I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia - the Horse and His boy
No comments:
Post a Comment