To begin this entry I have to say that I am so overcome with so different emotions I feel it is as if a winter snow storm is taking place in my heart, freezing cold, windy, icy, hail, sleet, slush a true mess but at the same time such a beautiful mess. It has never been said that life would be easy, but I feel that the best things in life shouldn’t be. It is in lose that you find gain, in hardship that you see victory, that is what keeps one going, the thrill of what is to come. In eight days from now I will be in Africa, just the thought of that sets my heart on fire. Over the past two months I have grown so passionate about the work we will be doing, and truly honored to get the chance to begin such an adventure but leaving will not be easy. Australia and the way of life here has become comfortable, and God has instill speakers that taught us of life and to live for Christ in a world full of darkness. It is crazy to think that 11 weeks can simply fly by. I guess what they say is true, don’t blink; you may miss what is right in front of you. I feel like in a blink of an eye one chapter closes and another begins. I am not liable to say what is going to happen next, but I can promise that I am giving God the pen and will we write the story together.
In Philippians 1:29 it says, “For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well…”
Many people, me being one of them, consider life a joyous and fun filled adventure, until something goes wrong/something happens that we didn’t plan. This week this verse hit me hard, straight to my heart. Never before did I realize the true privilege of what believing in God entitles one to. We should take pride in being a people that not simply just believes but suffers for the one we love. What passion and desire comes when a person gives all they have, endures trial but has love, love is all we need, the love of the Father is all we need; and it is by that love that we have life, that we can be and go and do and see and strive for more. You give up what you know, family, friends, surroundings, home, school, a love you were once accustom to, a life when you were once aware of what is next, leaving you at a point of nothingness now that is when you are truly whole. The things of the world, the things we take comfort in, reside in and call home. Jesus is the only home, the only place one can truly take refuge. So I encourage you to live and not hold back, to love and not grow weary, take joy in suffering, suffering for the Father.