Break neck speed and time standing still
We are deep in the “go” season and still a mile high in prep work. Our brains no longer form coherent sentences and there are too many to-do lists we keep losing. The roller coaster is exciting, exhausting, and has broken down once or twice for maintenance. But we try to linger in the sweetness of this season and be intentional with our time. To sum it up, we want to leave well. The time in this town in coming to a close rapidly and it has me holding onto His promises and the phase “He is worth it”.
As we wind down our farewell tour part 1, we have a few moments to reflect on what God has shown us these past couple months. We love people and we love connection- the messy, the imperfect, the not always convenient meetups are always worth it. Jesus did this with his disciples, the people of communities he visited, and the kids who followed him. The investing in people and their stories and the blessings that unexpectedly happen when you go with it are little glimpses of the goodness here on earth.
Chris loves sharing “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (proverbs 16:9). And wow is it true! We can plan and plan and still be thrown a curve ball or 7, but we know we are going the direction we need to. Yet, some things will fall into place much differently than expected or wished for. But usually because it’s a bigger plan than we could ever conjure up alone. “God never calls us to do something we are capable of. God calls us to do things that are beyond our ability so he gets the credit”- Mark Batterson
We’ve had bittersweet goodbyes, send off prayers, hospitality from strangers, and yummy food. But trips are not complete without unsightly hotel rooms, upset tummies, vet bills, and pulled muscles. We want to get our to-do’s done but also want to savor the connection, the memories, the moments of rest, and make sure we are spiritually, mentally, and physically prepared for this adventure.
Our hearts are already in Brazil and know that longing will only increase now that missional love is back in country. We know His timing is always best, but have an increased pep in our step as we inch closer to the planned go date and are anxious to love on the community, leaders, and kids at The Davis Lar.
As we sit and reflect or run and bust butt, we pray without ceasing- not just for our transition but for the vulnerable, the lost, and the hurting. Most of us have not seen this much pain, destruction, and world fall out in our lifetimes yet it is not unique to our generations. History is full of all sorts of terrible things. Hope cannot be found in ourselves or any man. We are broken, we are sinful, we are a freakin hot mess.
That’s where Jesus comes in- He came to earth, fully God & fully man, and paid the ultimate price for us by dying on the cross so our sins could be forgiven, so that we may have the chance to live for all eternity in a perfect Heaven with God. We are saved when we believe in our hearts and confess that Jesus is Lord. And I don’t know about you but that sounds pretty awesome- no wildfires, no drought, no pain, no persecution, no earthquakes, no disease, no depression. Just celebrating and rejoicing with our creator— how we were meant to be before we messed it all up with our selfishness. And that right there is a hope worth living for, fighting for, and moving around the world to continue to share that with people we meet.
-Ashley
