He sits on high as He holds it all together

So here I sit on a beautiful winters morning – the sun is shining, not a cloud to be seen and it feels more like summer. I still don’t have my car – but I think that I have my peace back –which is more important. This morning I have been looking back over the last month. It has been so busy and hard, but in the midst of it I can see God at work. He has revealed more of Himself to me, and it is this I hold on to. He is the faithful one, who provides and protects His people. He is so far above the world and all its happening. He sits as He holds it all together, and I trust His sovereignty in the midst of all that is happening.

He has provided the finance to pay the fine, so I am hoping to sort it all out this week, and then I can get on with life and be all that God has me here to be. I really need to start getting back into routine and making the most of the rest of this year.

Thurs 28 May: I need peace

It is so good to be in Joburg. The last two days have been real tough. I lost my peace somewhere along the line and just needed to be out of the country, so the timing of this conference is perfect. I need to get my peace back to make it back to Zim on Monday.

Tues 26 May: It’s gonna be one of those days

I woke today and had a great time chilling with Jesus this morning. I left with such a sense that this day was not going to go to plan and that God was preparing me to trust Him things that would not go well. The day got off to a great start. I had a good class catching up on all I had missed the previous week ready for my exam on Thursday; managed to book flights to Jozi for Thursday. I then went to immigration to extend my visa- and it had never been so easy. It took a total of 2 minutes full of smiles from the officer. Next to ZIMRA (Zim Revenue Authority) to extend my Temporary import. They had changed their process, but no problems – I paid carbon Tax, got insurance, and then waited for the stamp, I waited and I waited. For about an hour. I sat there thinking how well everything had gone so far. Looking back that should have been my warning signal. I left the office an hour or so later a little distraught, without my car papers, a US$400 fine and permission to drive my car home and park it until I paid. I made it through the day reeling at what had happened, but clung on to the fact that God had prepared me for this. He has called me here and He is my protector and provider – Two truths I need to cling to right now.

Fri 22 May: Isaiah

Wow – what an amazing week. It has been awesome working through Isaiah like this. It has been fantastic to be so well equipped – and eat so much nice salad ;-) No really I have learnt so much more about God’s heart for people, for mission, and about the character of the Godhead – how great and awesome, how mighty in strength, how far above all we can image, and how involved with His people.
Great!!

Tonight off to Kezi for I-Gen launch with Drew and Meg Land. I-Gen is a discipleship programme run in small groups – sounds good but really vulnerable – so mixed feelings there (being honest about our life is all well and good in theory – but in practise ;-) ) … that and I am so tired. Ready for June to come along and a month at home!!

Mon 18 May

Worst exam ever…no power so wrote in the only room with enough light – next to reception. I guess you have to visit Africa to understand the volume of talking ;-) To top it off I started a migraine about twenty minutes in. As you can imagine – it did not go well. Oh well life goes on!

Tomorrow I head to Gweru for a weeks training in the book of Isaiah. It will be nice to get away to a beautiful place and catch up on life a little….and obviously enjoy great teaching!

Thursday 14 May: Trying to juggle life

This week I started college again. I love learning and seeing new things – but man this is tiring. Juggling work and studies I feel exhausted just looking at my diary. But I have such a sense that this is a season I need to make every moment count so I am going to try and be diligent with my time. It is so easy to waste time – to just watch the days float by and not have done much. Running from A to B and not checking that I am doing what I came here to do. As God reminded me recently through a friend – this is not a training ground alone – but this is the finals – every day is filled with a purpose from God. My prayer is that God would help me manage my time well, and I would keep my eyes fixed on His purpose for me being here – and live it out to the max.

Mon 11 May: Internal or external?

What a great weekend – lots of faith for growing church and looking at our vision and values as New Creation. I also learnt I am to a large extent an internal processor – so give me time to think and process, but also need some external time – to formulate my final opinion. I always seem to be a mix of the two types. I do not have bi-polar!!

Friday 8 May: Life is no rehearsal

Today I set aside time to revise for my mission exam, how ironic that I would be sitting inside on such a beautiful day reading books when I could be out there doing the stuff. I am not a big fan of revision – my simple philosophy is that you apply what is good and live it out, but what is the point in dates, and theories? I think that’s my stance just cos I cannot think of a worse thing than reading over notes, trying to put them to memory – when memory is one big hole in my head. Exams are often a brain exercise more than a heart exercise – and for those of us with small brains and big hearts……I’ll say no more. But I would much rather be doing something useful right now!

This afternoon I am off with the church leaders to Kezi with the guys from St. Neots (UK), and am so excited to see all that God has in store for us. This is really an exciting season for us as a church as we look to replanting. Can’t wait!