I arrived in Lynchburg on July 22nd and it is now September 1st. Classes have started. God hooked me up with a job. The settling in is finally beginning to take place. Slowly but surely.
Contrary to how I thought it would be, I've been home a lot since the move. But, I don't think that's a bad thing. It's helped the transition. And, each time I hit 81S to head back to "the other 'Burg", I appreciate those relationships so much more and realized that I am blessed.
{Thank you, Lord}
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Now, in Lynchburg news...
Classes started last Tuesday. I had to park in Djubumba which isn't a big deal unless rain is pouring from the sky - which it was. I finally made it inside and was dripping water from my hair and face. {Note to self: buy an umbrella} Sat through three classes in a row freezing and listening to Professors talk about the syllabus. At 4:50 when my last class was over, I was exhausted. I've had two days of class since then {I only have class on Tuesday/Thursday} and I'm loving it. :)
George, my boss, called yesterday. I start training on Friday morning. He wants to put me on the schedule right away now, instead of waiting until October, because someone quit. Word!
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This time last year, I was completely unsure of where my life would be going. I don't know that I can say that much has changed, but I can say that I've learned what it means to trust God for His plans. I've learned that when I place my sight on God {seek first the kingdom, Matthew 6:33}, the perspective is different; things that once seemed so important no longer are; things that were put in place of God are taken down.
{I've been trying for the past 15 minutes to figure out how to get to where I'm going with this blog, if anywhere.}
Straight up, the past few days have been difficult. God was teaching me a tough lesson that He's tried to teach me before. In previous times, I wouldn't go there with Him, I'd find a quick route to somewhere else. {I suppose you could call me Jonah}
This time, when He pulled up, I jumped in and we went! And though I was uncertain and hurt, it was great.
I found rest in God alone. {Psalm 62:1, NIV)
I realized joy from God and not happiness from circumstances.
I was given another glimpse into the fact that God is always with us.
I am learning what it means to be with God, something I haven't done in a while.
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Aside from that, God has been placing passion back into my heart. I can feel Him {not that it's always about feelings}, I can hear Him {not that it's always about hearing}, but most of all I'm being stretched.
"I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [Ephesians 4:1-3, ESV]
I won't unpack all that is in this passage but I will say that God, through Paul, is calling us to a certain standard of living. One that reflects the gospel; one of humility and gentleness towards others; one of love and unity with the body of Christ; one that is focused on advancing the Kingdom and bringing glory to God.
This standard of living can be seen all throughout the New Testament writings. Christ calls us to go to all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). If I am proclaiming to be a Christian, where is my passion and heart for those who are lost and suffering?
At the end of Matthew 9 in verses 36-38, Christ looked out on the crowds of people and "had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (ESV)
So, there is work to be done, but not enough workers to do it. Christ says to pray. If you ignore the man-made chapter break, you see that He then calls the disciples to answer the prayers for more workers - interesting? Perhaps.
It is important that we are praying for workers, but why is it that we don't see ourselves as the workers a lot of the time. Just a thought, I suppose.
{There will be more to come on this. For now check out this site - Freedom424 - and pray about supporting somehow}
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This blog writing process has been a long one. I hope that it has made some sense. In it's purest form, it's just random musings from the mind of a 'byrd' - so forgive me for rambling at times.
until next time,
byrd lady
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Meditate on this: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach [proclaim] the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." [2 Timothy 4:1-5, Paul telling Timothy, "it's your turn"]
