Higher Ground...

This past week felt very ordinary. Nothing I could see on the surface seemed to really be stirring or moving after last week's big events. I'm not sure what I was expecting...maybe an instant “field” or “harvest” of new conversations...evidence of some kind that seeds did fall on good ground. But the harder I looked, the more “ordinary” things seemed. And I think I was straining so hard to see something, that I actually gave myself a headache. Then the ordinary became irritating to me. Cows and donkeys crossing the road right when I did. Power and water shutting on and off at various times. Ugh. :-) Even though just last week, I had nothing. I felt the need for a different perspective. Interesting how that can happen so easily.

So a few times last week and this weekend, I literally ran to”higher ground” trying to get a different view. One neighborhood I ran to- I love to walk through in the cool of the evening. Its breathtaking views are like glimpses of Eden and always seems to make me grateful to be in this part of the world.

Then another day I hiked up the “mountain” behind our school compound. One direction had flies attacking me, so I headed the other way. And met some some beautiful kids and people as I was strolling. Their smiles warmed my heart, their resilience helped me “see” what was good about here. A strong breeze blew off dust and heat and I felt refreshed.

Why is it so hard to keep the right perspective? Why, so easily, can ordinary become dull and we get discouraged or bored or apathetic? We get stressed, or overworked. We get fatigued. We lose focus. We become short-circuited. We easily forget the bigger story we're part of. Why were here. Whose we are. Who were connected to. It becomes about us, our comfort, our glory. We don't see anything happening, so we move to make it happen. We don't wait for long. We don't watch for long. The rhythm of life pushes us forward. And we get off track, with no real perspective so quickly.

The other day, it hit me hard. I was in the city and I felt hustled and bustled and hassled and rasseled (not a word, but the rhyme is nice)- I was irritated and ready to tell someone I was. So I went to the top of a high building for a different view, yet again. From that perspective, I was way above the madness of the crowds and traffic below. Whew. The slums even seemed almost “pretty” in the distance- a maze of patterns with an almost artistic design.

 A boys soccer team was doing drills at one of the edges, making me zoom my camera in for a closer look. I smiled at youth in its prime and I remembered my soccer days of long ago. 

I saw moms hanging laundry- that also made me smile. Huge birds circling the building, tyridactal in size, didn't make me cringe or grab a rock “just in case”- like usual, but I smiled watching them soar with each other, so free. So amazing what a change of perspective can do. I was thankful to be “higher.”

And I'm so thankful for a “rock” that is higher than I. I constant refuge I can climb, lean, rest on, even build my house on- that will give me where to see from, the perspective to have. God in view. He is at work, though we may not see it. Ordinary days can actually be extra-ordinary days in the making. God wants us to trust Him and His timing.

I was encouraged this past week to read about how often Jesus went to “higher ground.” Often in the morning, before dawn, He'd race up into the hills and pray and seek His Father.

Sometimes how perspective is given back is hard. This past Saturday, I received news of the “passing” of a little lady named Liz. She was one of the tiniest ladies I've met and was in my parent's cell group. She was also one of spunkiest ladies. Cancer had invaded her and God had called her home. In hearing this on Saturday, while struggling with the perspective, I had to brush back tears of great sorrow but also great gratitude. Sad we had lost Liz, but grateful we had known her and grateful one day we'll see her again.

My parents with their cell group, Noel too, (Liz is the one in the white shirt to left of my Mom)

My perspective that day came back in view.

Life is a gift. All days. Ordinary and extra-ordinary. May we take none for granted.

And all ordinary days can be lived extra-ordinary, don't you think? With love and compassion. With joy and peace. With hope. With expectation. With excellence. With sincerity. With reverence. If we keep God in view.

May I live like that. Seeking God early in the morning, living on that higher ground, to glimpse Him, His goodness, His faithfulness, His beauty. His love. May I trust our faithful God. He's sovereign over life, over the harvest. In His time, He waters seeds. And like a farmer, I can enjoy the waiting, the expectation of what is coming.

God help me to do my part...keep you in view, keep life overall in perspective. May I live well, love well. Making the most of each day.

Keeping these verses in mind...

1 Corinthians 2:9

“...no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

James 5:7-8

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Mark 1:35
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Onward...

Prayer Requests...

• Pray for tests we're giving students this week in English, - that students will do well
• Pray for the “drama”- I'm planning to do it in two more classes.
• Pray for “follow-up” from last week's drama, that in God's time- seeds will grow
• Pray for a staff prayer-Bible time, that a team will form to move that forward this week
• Pray for more people to join my prayer and financial team (if anyone would like more info on this, please let me know)
• Pray for my sister, Noel,- moving to a new part of Prague today
• Pray for my sister and her friend Petra, traveling to California on Friday to be the main speakers at a missions conference- for courage and safety and a blessed time for them
• Pray for many short-term teams in Africa now, that God will bless their time and the staff and communities they're serving in
• Pray for my little brother Facius in Haiti and those serving there now
• Pray for the book I've started writing- that God will bless the words and give me time and grace to write and finish it

Thank you so much for praying and journeying with me.  I'm grateful to be with you on the road home.

May God Bless Your Week with His Perspective!

Love from this side of the world,
Holly