Even Yet ... RISING

Sometimes life seems to pull you down or you trip and fall yourself. And just to lay down and take some deep breaths feels necessary. But to get back up is also needed.

We have the ability thanks to Jesus to get up and to still rise, even yet to become all He's made us to be. Despite falls and trips and being tripped, we can still get up and persevere. Praise God for that ability!

Isn't that why we celebrate Easter? That because Jesus came, lived, and died in our place.. He RESURRECTED and we can too, we can rise. We don't have to be held down by sin or self or failures. There is hope for us and lift for us, if we take the hand of Jesus.

I've been thinking on all on all this in the past few months... while time has been running...

This Spring has been busy for me here in Ethiopia. I've shifted gears into a new program schedule. I'm continuing to teach at ETC, three classes, which have been great! And I've added Amharic at last, focused language time which I have loved. Three times a week with a private tutor, I'm doing my best to learn the heart language here. And I'm also working with our Student Dean at Hope College and the Student Parliament, giving hours to that this semester. This time of intentional focus on the key student leaders at our school has also been busy but good. Our Student Parliament has launched clubs... one of the most successful being a Sports Club, who started a soccer tournament called Hope Cup. To see students playing matches and cheering each other on has been a highlight.

Two of my best girls, Hilina and Hidi, and I have started Bible study. This time of studying God's Word together has also been a big highlight of this spring so far.  As we've continued to live life together, it's been a joy to share the journey.

Happy 25th bday Hilina 

And through it all, I've been trying to think about RISING, am I still rising to become all God has made me to me?

I did a talk for our Student Parliament and during our School's Reflection Hour that I think is relevant for us in life. It talked about "Obstacles We Face to Achieving our Potential." What are things that hold us back from becoming all God has made us to be? I listed four things I've seen in my own life and in the lives of others.

What causes us to not rise?

1. NO VISION /GOALS

Often times we don't have vision for our life or goals. This can cause us to just sleep days away or not move forward. We need to set goals. Make some, then work that direction, otherwise nothing will change. God has given us the charge to be good stewards, managers, and to do something with the life we've been given. God can give you direction and a picture for your life and His plans for you. What do you like to do? What are you good at? Those can be indicators of what He made you for. What areas of your life need change? Physically? Socially? Financially?  Spiritually? Where does God want you to go? What changes do you need to make or what things do you need to add/subtract to get to that place? Set some goals and work those goals. Don't let no vision or no goals to cause you to be stuck.

Philippians 3:13-14
Forgetting what is behind, and straining towards what is ahead, I press on 

1 Corinthians 9:24
Run in such a way to get the prize.

Matthew 6:33
Seek first His kingdom an His righteousness

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 33:11
The plans of the Lord stand firm forever.

Jeremiah 29:11
I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and  future.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.

2. DISAPPOINTMENTS

Disappointments can also make us lay down and not get up. Disappointments come in life from all sides. The world is under the effect of sin and selfishness. Friends disappoint, churches disappoint, even you will disappoint you. Scripture says don't be surprised. What do you do when disappointments come? Do you stay down and roll around in that.. becoming bitter? You have to get up, forgive who needs forgiven, and move forward. Setbacks- can be set-ups, for incredible comebacks said Pastor Mike Bowie. If you failed at something, get up. Learn from it, and move forward. Don't allow disappointments to keep you down. They can in fact be some of the greatest teachers.

James 1:2, 12
consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds; blessed is the man who perseveres under trail 

Romans 7:19
I don't do what I want to do

Romans 3:23
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken-hearted

Colossians 3:13
Forgive as I have forgiven you

John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.

3. UNWISE CHOICES 

Unwise choices also can cause us to not rise. We choose unwise things to add into our lives or to spend time with. We focus on things we shouldn't. Satan is there at work too, trying to make us look at minor things and not major things. 

We make unwise choices with our time. We waste days, taking naps or doing too much. We focus on what we don't have versus working on what we do have. What is in your hand that you can work now? We often are unwise with who we allow to influence us. This can bring us down. Who do you allow to speak into your life and influence you? Do those people speak God's potential into your life? Or do they pull you down?  God wants us to be wise with our time, our focus, and our relationships. 

Psalms 90:12
Teach us to number our days

Hebrews 12:1
Throw off the sin that so easily entangles

Colossians 3:2
Set your mind on things above

Hebrews 12:2
Fix your eyes on Jesus

Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm

James 5:16
Confess your sins one to another, and pray for each other, that you may be healed.

4. STRESS

Stress also can pull us down and make us stay down. We don't like stress. We try to ignore it or medicate it. How do you deal with stress?  It's important to manage stress and push through. Don't carry your burdens alone... Jesus is there. Find some trusted friends to pray with and help you. 

Psalm 61:2
When I am overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden,

Psalm 73:21-26
When my soul was embittered, I was like a brute beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continuously with you. You hold me by my right had. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength

God wants us to even yet... RISE... to become what He's made us to be. We can! A Risen Savior lives in us. We can get up and rise up to do great things for God! May He help us... to set good goals and move towards them! To push past disappointments and not stay there. To make wise choices, with our time, focus, and relationships. And to manage stress in a healthy way so we are not held back but move forward.

All is possible with God!

May we rise this Spring and New Year to be at our best for God! He is worthy of our best and our most!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for this Spring Season for me here...  that in all the areas above, I live wise to even yet become all God has made me to be.

-Please pray for my family in USA this Spring- as weddings plans for my sister are underway. We are excited to have Pastor Mike Martin join the family in June!

-Please pray for my Dad who will have hip replacement surgery this month, that it will be successful. We love him so much!

-Pray for the fundraising I need to do to get to travel home to be with my family for key events.

Please let me know how I can pray for you as well!

Blessings from Ethiopia!