In a little more than a month, I will be returning to Portugal - a place where my heart experienced fullness of life and where I experienced intimacy with Jesus in ways I never thought possible. To say that I am excited to be going back would be an understatement. I. Am. Pumped.
Not only am I going to be testing out my role as leader this summer, but I want this summer to also be an opportunity for there to maybe be some clarity in terms of what God has dreamed up for my life. I want to be sure to take the time out to pray and to discern over my future and my passions and how I can use them, specifically what it means to live missionally.
In the meantime, I am asking and wrestling with questions like,
- Where and how do I plug in?
- What are the ministries and communities I should be pouring my energy into?
Perhaps, part of this process is taking a leap and trying different things out. Maybe figuring out some of the answers to my questions involves me taking the initiative and connecting with a community or ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, or maybe trying out a new ministry at church or exploring more the idea of global missions. At some point there needs to be something that separates the praying and the asking God for direction and the faith of just going out and doing something. The truth is, there is a good chance I may fall flat on my face in any or all of these attempts, but I'm wondering if that's where I will find perspective - humility. It keeps me on my knees.
Through numerous people and events in the last few weeks, the words of Isaiah 43 keep coming up in various conversations and readings. I wonder if God might be trying to say something to me - assuring me of his promise that He is indeed up to something in my life. So, I figure I should take some time to sit with this particular scripture and allow the words of Isaiah to seep into my heart.
In all the uncertainties that I find within my life currently, I am choosing to rest in the truth that God is indeed up to something new and exciting in my life - things that will refresh me and bring a fullness of life beyond what I could even ask for or imagine.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.
4
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
5
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6
I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7
Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
8
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9
Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
10
“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11
I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12
First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13
“From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”...
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
the jackals and owls, too,
for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
so my chosen people can be refreshed.
21 I have made Israel for myself,
and they will someday honor me before the whole world.
