Change is coming.
Three weeks today I will be boarding a plane to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, where I will get to work, live, play, laugh, serve, and learn in and amongst the beautiful people who live in the slum of Kibera. And after that, I will be returning home for a short while, before leaving on the next portion of my year serving in missions...which I’m so excited to tell you about VERY soon.
So this is a funny season. It’s a season of packing and prepping, finishing up and saying goodbye. A time for connecting with friends, and for quiet times with my Lord. Running, biking, walking and treasuring the freedom I can experience in Him right here, where I am.
And what I am learning about the Lord....is that He is a God that leads me gently, with love, compassion and patience. We both know that He is shutting doors...some for now and some forever...and He knows sometimes I just need to sit with my back plastered against a “closed door”, arms folded, forehead pressed up against my forearms... tears running down my face as I do the ugly cry. And as my eyes run out of tears, and I just need to sit there, staring into space as I recover, I am not alone.
But He doesn’t leave me there...no my God will never leave me nor forsake me. Instead...with a verse, or a song, a prayer, or a chat with a good friend, my God gently picks me up and shows me a glimpse of the life He has for me. He takes me to a window, opens the curtains, and allows my eyes to rest on the beauty that lies beyond the horizon. And slowly, one step at a time, he is leading me to the door He is preparing for me to walk through...the next plan He has prepared for me to step into.
I know that this is going to be a huge year for me in my relationship with my Lord. A year where he shows me more of himself, as I trust in His leading in ways I never have before. A year where He shows me His love...His infinite, everlasting, unending love... and a year where lets me show the people He surrounds me with just a glimpse of that love.
He wants to take me by the hand...but in order for me to fully Hold onto the hand of my God as I let Him lead me....I have to let go. I have to unclench my fists...place my hands in His...and just trust.
Because change is coming.