In tallying up students’ points this past week, I was
amazed at how many “absents” I had recorded for various students over the
course of the semester.
How could some
students have missed so much class?
I believe God is waiting in our every moment to walk with
us, talk with us. To be with us and to
also involve us in moving forward his Kingdom.
But sometimes we get distracted.
Our minds dwell in the past, maybe on old glory days or we live in
regret of choices made before.
Their grades would reflect the class time missed.
All the absent marks got me thinking about my life
overall.
What am I “absent” from? If in God’s “book”- there is
recorded my times of being present (with Him and part of His work) or not, what
would my record show/reflect?
How is my time alone with God? How is my involvement in
His kingdom work?
Am I present or would God say I'm absent (esu kere in Amharic)? Is my seat, my place, empty?
How is my church fellowship; time spent being discipled
and making disciples?
How is my serving?
Am I loving the least, the lost, and doing my part to be
a good ambassador, representative?
If am I absent, what causes me to miss time with God or
join His work?
Excuses I get here in Ethiopia for students being absent
from my class are many.
Some are valid.
Some are not:
-transport problems
-rain
-death of family or friends
-wasn’t sure when class started
-was doing work for another class
-sickness or family sickness
--a hyena chased me and ate my homework (yes, I did get
this one once)
-too much family stress
-too busy with other things
Often times in our relationship with God, I think we use
many of these same kinds of excuses.
Our excuses are often ones that are related to the environment,
our schedules, and how we “feel.”
Excuses I’ve used to be “absent” from being with God or
doing His work- have often been- I’m “not ready.” Or I’m too busy.
We so often let the temporary affect the eternal, the little things get in the way of the big.
Jesus taught a parable knowing this would happen…
Luke 14:16-24
A certain man was
preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet
he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything
is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I
have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.” Another
said, I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please
excuse me.” Still another said, I have just got married, so I can’t come.” The
servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house
became angry and ordered his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and
alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir,” the servant said, “what you ordered
has been done, but there is still room.” Then the master told his servant, “Go
out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will
be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of
my banquet.”
May our schedules be determined by God, flexible enough
to move with His Spirit. And when He
invites us to join a banquet, may we not give excuses!
For many I think, it’s sometimes easier to be busy than
to be still. To DO for God can sometimes
be easier than to just to be WITH Him.
God often has to remind me of this and I think of Mary
and Martha.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his
disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha
opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s
feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the
preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you
care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,”
the Lord answered, you are worried about many things, but only one thing is
needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
May God help us!!!
What happens when I’m absent? I miss out!!!
What do I miss out on?
I miss the chance for: intimacy, growth,
training-learning, blessing. Provision, peace, joy, impact, increased courage, confidence. So much is gained by being involved.
I think of my life and the times I’ve made excuses. Then the other times, when I made myself
present and available. I think of Haiti,
of Africa, of the moments and memories I could have missed if I would have made
what probably would have sounded like solid excuses. Ex. It’s time to get a job, not move to a third
world country to serve. May we not miss
out!
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| Haiti 2008 |
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| Kenya 2011 |
 |
Ethiopia 2011 |
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| Ethiopia 2013 |
Or we think too much ahead…trying to plan our next meal
or our next hour or our next decade.
Even in church, our bodies might be there- but our minds and hearts are elsewhere. God sees and could record us overall as being “absent.”
Even in church, our bodies might be there- but our minds and hearts are elsewhere. God sees and could record us overall as being “absent.”
Matthew 15:8
“‘These
people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
May we be FULLY present and available to God and His
work! In His presence, we find
everything we need! Joy, hope , peace, direction…
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former
things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs
up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the
wasteland.”
Matthew 6:25-34
…do not worry…seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow…
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in
perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you
John 14:27
Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let
your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Hebrews 12:1-2
…let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…
Psalm 4:7-8
You have filled my
heart with greater joy than when their new grain and new wine abound. I will
lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in
the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
God deserves and desires our FULL attention, our
engagement, our connection with Him. And not just when our schedule is clear or
our skies are sunny or we feel confident. Our FULL FOCUS blesses God, strengthens us, and impacts others!
May we not miss out!
May our seat not be empty! Or our place not given to
another!
May what is recorded of my life be marks of FULL
participation, the marks of a humble and surrendered will, marks of an obedient
and loyal servant of God…a life that God can use to reflect Himself to the
world.
John 15:4
Remain in me and I
will remain in you
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light
of the world…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Deuteronomy
6:5
Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength.
Colossians
3:23
Whatever you do,
work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord
This is my prayer, in whatever “field” I serve in or
country I live, may I not be absent!
Onward!
Onward!
Prayer Requests/Praises
-My Mom’s second eye surgery was a success, praise God!
-My sister, Noel, arrived safely in the USA for a six
month home assignment. She’s debriefing this week in Chicago with her sending
organization, TEAM. Please keep her in
prayer as she takes rest.
-My Dad continues to amaze us with so much. He hit golf balls
this past week! Praise God for His healing power!
-A huge praise- my great friend Debelle has been
hired by World Vision! This new job is
perfect for him and we give great thanks for God’s provision. Please
keep his family in prayer as they begin this new season of their life!
-We are in our final week of exams. Then I will have one more week of wrap-up
before semester break. Please keep students and staff in prayer as we finish
up.
-There are some student trips in the coming few weeks and plans are to
travel out of Addis for “retreat time” and celebration-prayer over the past
semester/school year. Pray those go safely and students will have a good
beginning of their “break time.”
-I have booked tickets to the US and will arrive in
August for my “break” time. I’m excited to be home for at least a month and to
have the opportunity to connect with many of you! Stay tuned for more details
on my travel plans.
-Please pray for many short term teams and long term
workers still launching and serving globally.
-Please keep my Haitian friend Facius in your prayers, we've stayed in touch over the years and he's in transition time.
-Please keep my Haitian friend Facius in your prayers, we've stayed in touch over the years and he's in transition time.
-Please keep praying for the draft of my first book, I’d
love to have that completed when I come stateside.
-Please keep the country of Egypt in your prayers. I’m sure most of you have seen the news of
this East African country and recent events there. Egypt of course is a
neighbor to Ethiopia. May God give peace
and new leadership that will help this country stabilize and prosper.
