In the Beth Moore bible study I am currently doing, "Believing God", there is a section every night to write about any "GodStops" you might have encountered that day. Well...on Sunday I had a BIG one. A GodSlap if you will...haha.
So..on Sunday we went to the International Church. They sing and preach in english. I saw some of my kids from school there and a few other missionaries i've recently met. An elder from the church gave the message. The first thing he said was, "God wants me to tell some of you out there NOT TO GIVE UP. Some of you are going to want to quit sometime this year. Don't give up. God has given YOU an ASSIGNMENT. It may look too tough, like you are alone,that it is not working out, the burden is too heavy...but don't give up!
Well...he had my full attention! God was speaking to ME! I have been praying about my time here in Africa. June seems SOOOO far away & i feel like i have to climb Mt.Everest before i can come home again. I've been praying for God to speak to me about being here. (i asked specifically this question on Saturday the day before)
He read in Zechariah (4:1-10) about how the temple was being rebuilt in Jerusalem. They had started but had not finished because they were tired and discouraged. God wanted Zerubbabel to know that in order to finish, it would have to be with God's strength b/c he could not do it by his own might and power. Z was re-ignited by the Holy Spirit! The 'mountain' was removed!
He went on to say that in Ephesians (4:15-5:21), Paul challenges us to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. We have to renew our minds and spirit. It has to be God IN us to accomplish our 'assignment'. We cannot do it on our own.
I will be tested here in Africa, i've already been and will again. I must 'dig in'. I must give thanks always, even when i want to scream in frustration or curl up in a ball and cry! I must keep up the fight.
After he finished speaking he said that God was specifically talking to someone in the congregation. He asked for whoever it was to come to the front in a step of faith so that the church could pray. My heart began racing, my eyes filled with tears. I KNEW God was talking to me. I did not want to walk up there though! I knew all eyes would be on me, I stick out b/c i am american, etc. Well, no one was getting up. I knew I had to go up there. Then i thought, i'm in Africa! No one knows me here, whatever-i'm going up there. HA! So i did and i just lost it...i told him that i was a teacher and that i missed home and wanted to quit and go back home! He had some people come pray for me. Just one other girl came up to the front.
God spoke to me today. "Lindsay, don't give up." God wants to talk to us. We just have to stop and listen. GodStop.
The last pic is the cover of my journal. My mom gave it to me in 2002. I am just now using it.
everything about this post is amazing. the message, the pictures. you are amazing. i hope God continues to work in you. you're doing it!
ReplyDeletewho knew in 2002 you would use this journal in Africa.
ReplyDeleteGod knew.
God knows.
it was a hard year, 2002. But He saw us through and even now He is true to His promises to never leave us.
This journal entry is proof of that.
thank you for sharing your heart. it blesses mine.
mom