“How can what is made say about its
maker, ‘He didn’t make me’? How can what
is formed say about the one who formed it, ‘He doesn’t understand what he’s
doing’”? ~Isaiah 29: 16
“Therefore, the LORD is waiting to
show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just
God. All who wait patiently for Him are
happy.” ~Isaiah 30:18
Have you
ever just stopped, laid down, and looked at the clouds? I mean actually watch them move, form, even disappear. It’s something I haven’t done since I was a
child. I guess I’ve just been too
busy. Hmmm…….too busy to notice
something so necessary to my survival.
Have you
ever thought about the purpose of clouds?
Clouds are amazing and important.
They come in all shapes, sizes, and images. They serve as barriers for heat moving both
in and out of the Earth’s atmosphere. They
have many affects on our climates. They help shift dust, bacteria, and other
particles throughout the Earth. They cool
us down from the sun on a hot day. They
bring rain and snow to keep humans, plants, and animals alive with water and
clean the air.
When I was
in Thailand I was by myself, so I had a lot of time to really pay attention to
the things happening around me, the different nations of people I observed enjoying
vacation, and I got to take in some beautiful nature. While lying on the beach, I saw clouds
completely evaporate in the sky, right before my eyes! I had no idea they did that!! It was really cool to see, a first for
me.
You see God,
my Creator, took time to entertain me while I was by myself in Thailand. Then I began to wonder, ‘How many times has
He tried to impress me my whole life but I’ve been to distracted to
notice?’ God was being artistic in the
sky at that moment, seeing if anyone would take notice, and I was fortunate
enough to witness it. Now I’m sure this
sort of thing happens all the time but how many times do we witness it because
we take it for granted. How many times
do we miss out on the beauty nature has to offer, because our mind is somewhere
else? How many times do we miss out on
the blessings He has for us because we think our own work and dreams are better
than what our Creator has in store.
I, as well
as some of you reading this, are too busy to listen to God, too busy to marvel
at His creation, too busy to praise Him for all He has created for us to enjoy,
too busy to thank Him for the day He has given us and the blessings we have
received. Work, families, social media,
friends, the entertainment industry, and money distract us. Maybe we are even distracted by chasing our
dreams. Some distractions are good and some
are bad. We miss out on the best God has
for us because we are so distracted doing other things.
Good
Distractions that can turn into bad ones:
This is
where I’m going to camp out in my blog today.
Most of you reading this know my intense, insane love for Brazil. I want to go back there. I want to be with those people again, loving
them, educating them, and showing them who God is, helping them uncover the
plans He has for them. Every chance I
had to go back to Brazil since I lived there in 2010 I jumped at pursuing, only
for it to be shut down. Finally I gave
up all hope and ended up in Korea. (I
guess you could say I gave up fighting my desires against God’s will for my
life).
For years I
have had no desire to go to Asia for missions, even though I knew how great the
need was. I just said in my heart, God
will raise up other people. But that was
me following my own desires and not allowing God to use me to accomplish His
great work!
Wanting to
be a missionary in Brazil is not a bad thing.
God calls his people to “go into all the world and share the gospel”. The problem is when you put your desires and
dreams above God’s desires for you (even the good desires). Paul had a desire to go to Rome and witness
to the people there. He finally got that
opportunity at the end of his life but God had other plans for Paul before he ended
up in Rome. Paul had to wait. Paul was one of the most influential people
in getting the gospel out of Israel into other parts of the world. He also wrote most of the New Testament in
the Bible. I wonder what would have
happened if Paul would have just decided to go to Rome and forgot about all the
other places he went to before. Who
knows? Maybe the New Testament would
look different. Maybe God would have
used someone else and we wouldn’t know who Paul is. I wonder……..
You see, for
years I have been telling my Creator “He doesn’t understand what he’s
doing”. “If only He would just let me
get married I could adopt all these kids and help save orphans and bring
awareness to adoption”. But I can save kids in Thailand before they even enter
the sex industry if I allow God to use me and go where the need is greater.
Or I would
say, “if only He would just let me go to Brazil and work with those street kids
I fell madly in love with. Then I can help them make a real life for themselves
and uncover the potential that is within them.”
But I can uncover the potential of women in Thailand who are already in
prostitution by teaching them things they weren’t taught growing up and
teaching them
Brazil is
fine. Brazil has churches everywhere and
organizations that are making tremendous strides in helping the people. Brazil is over 25% evangelized. Parts of SE Asia are less than 1%
evangelized. The need is greater
there. People are dying without knowing
their creator while I ignore it to fulfill my own dreams. No more!
It’s time to surrender!
God has been
so patient with me. A friend once told
me that he loved my passion for missions and was inspired by it. He said one day I would realize the need in
Asia and join it. I rolled my eyes as if
he were joking with me but it turns out he was right. Maybe one day, like Paul,
I will be able to return to Brazil. Who
knows? All I know is that I want what my
Creator wants for me because He knows me better than I know myself. I want His best for my life and I’m tired of
settling for second best.
PRAYER
REQUEST:
Please pray
for me this year as I finish my contract in Korea, prepare for becoming a
missionary, and pray about my role in Southeast Asia.
What’s keeping you from obeying?
The sky in Thailand is beautiful. |
The snorkling tour I went on to Similan Island. |
Phuket Sunset |
This was the highlight of my trip and definitely one of the top 10 highlights of my life. I adore tigers and think they are amazing creatures! |
Obviously an Elephant Trek. |
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