HOME STRETCH

Well, I’m in the “home stretch” of another school year here in Ethiopia. My Bible College semester is done. And I’m down to one final stack of papers to grade and one final exam to give at Hope College and that will be it- for teaching at two schools here in Addis Ababa for another year.

What a great honor and privilege it continues to be to live and work here in Ethiopia. To get to pour my life into some of the most amazing students and learn from some of greatest and most humble people I know. 

 

 

 

 

LOOKING BACK… on this past year here in Ethiopia, what have I learned?

God has again taught me so much. I’ve learned more about Him- … about His power, His protection, His provision, His love. He’s continued to show me that in my weakness- He is strong and where I lack- He does not. He fills my gaps. God is more about building my character than my comfort. And I’m grateful again for the journey, the opportunities He’s given me to be stretched and to grow in my relationship with Him.
 

I was thinking about this current “home stretch” for me and how it’s felt like a lot. Too much at times. It’s interesting how that last distance you have to go in a season can be the hardest, when you just have to take one more deep breath, put your head down, and give all you have to get it done. It’s a stretch and a reach deep.  We all have home stretches- last seasons or semesters before a break or a vacation or a change. Often, not easy.
 

And in general, life has many times and seasons that stretch us.  Stretching can be painful.

It’s funny, one of my goals in physical fitness for myself in this year is to stretch more. It’s a big weakness of mine. I feel I’m in the best shape of my life, EXCEPT in stretching.
 

Stretching to me is not comfortable nor does it feel nice. Yet, I’ve learned if you don’t stretch- you won’t be able to move as quickly and with ease. You can also get injured.  So I need to stretch!
 

I believe it’s the same in our relationship with God. We need to allow God to stretch us. We often become still or comfortable. We don’t like stretching because it’s outside of what feels comfortable or easy. But to get stronger, to stay mobile and flexible, we have to stretch.

 

I so much in every way want to be at my best for God as I continue on my journey with Him. I don’t want to become still or stagnant. I want my weak areas, to become strong. I want to be able to go anywhere for God, do anything. With trust in the stretch position He asks me to do.  Will I allow Him to push me into a deeper stretch than I thought possible? I believe God is wanting to constantly stretch us- for our faith to expand, our influence for Him to lengthen.  

Isaiah 54:2-5; 14; 17

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; … do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. … For your Maker is your husband- the Lord Almighty is His name… In my righteousness you will be established; tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. … no weapon formed against you will prevail, … this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.

God often asks us to do things just beyond what we can do, so we’re stretched, and He fills that space in ability or funding or skill- so He gets the glory. And again- we get stronger when stretched. God’s kingdom can expand.

Is God wanting to stretch you? Has He asked you to do something that’s just beyond you? To love an enemy? To serve a neighbor? To share your time, your money, with someone who needs it? To go on mission trip or be more involved in what God is doing in the world? Is He asking you to trust Him with something? To leave something? Or move somewhere? To let go of something? Or to open a new door? Then to hold that position for a time?

Whatever it is …. maybe it feels uncomfortable, it’s a stretch for you. But God’s leadership can be trusted. You can trust, that if God called it, He will bring you through it, He will hold you together and in place.  And you will actually come out stronger in life and faith, in prayer and in influence because of that stretch move.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

… my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…so I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 4:19

My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:9-10

I took you from the farthest corners of the earth … I said I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

May God continue to help us be stretched for His glory!   Onward!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for my final weeks of wrapping up here- that I can finish my home stretch at Hope College, please pray students will also be successful on their exams. Pray for our graduation on July 23- that it will be a wonderful celebration time. And as student celebration trips happen in the next few weeks … that those will be a time a great reflection and time of thanks to God.

-Please pray as I even now begin to prepare for next semester and for a quick return and start back in mid-August- that a good schedule will come together for me for next year and that I can prepare as much as possible now.

-Please pray for continued good health in the next few weeks, it’s rainy season and cold now and is a time of common illness.

-Please pray for my safe travel to the USA on July 25 … that as I pass through airports and get on planes, that I will not fear about terrorism but will be peaceful and restful and that God will even use that time for me to share about Him and give testimony to other travelers.

-Please pray for a good few weeks of break time in the USA, that it will be a solid time of rest and also a good time in connecting with my family, supporters, and home church.  I praise God for my Dad, Mom and sister – that they are well and for my home church, Ginghamsburg.

-Please keep my fundraising for airfare and supplies in prayer- as I will need to raise support for my trip home and for my return. If God leads you to be part of my prayer-financial team, please let me know.

God Bless You and thanks for being with on this journey!