A Life that Shines ...

Last weekend, the MESKEL holiday celebration came again here in Ethiopia.  

Streets were decorated and crosses were put up and placed around the city. 

Big bonfires were built high... with a cross at the top of each.

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History here says a bonfire was lit by one of Ethiopia's leaders long ago. The smoke from that fire led to the finding of a piece of the cross that Jesus died on.  

Here is more about the Meskel holiday:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskel

Watching these big bonfires get built and then get lit ... all over the city ... is something to see!

I smiled in my area ... watching the activity surrounding it all ...

The bonfire built by our school compound gate

Meskel Eve... heading to watch the bonfire get lit

Lighting it Up

Watching it burn

And though I've seen this holiday for many years now... it's had me thinking this past week more and more about our lives and how they are supposed to be light in the dark... and how our lives also should be marked by a cross... one that is lit!

The cross (Meskel... in Amharic) is a significant symbol for so many reasons.   

For Christians ... it symbolizes an unbelievable sacrifice that was made. God's Son Jesus came and offered his life as a sacrifice for our sin. A perfect God has to punish sin ... but Jesus took the full wrath of God's punishment for our sin on Himself!   In this unbelievable move and act of love, Jesus became a door for us back to God. By accepting what Jesus did on our behalf, it changes everything for us.

You can now choose to stay separated from God...condemned and guilty...for now and into eternity...

Or you can choose to be WITH GOD through accepting Jesus's gift and sacrifice ... you can stand... FORGIVEN, INCLUDED in God's family, REDEEMED and NOT GUILTY...able to walk and talk and know God freely and forever!  

What an incredible move Jesus made and what an incredible gift we are offered...salvation and the ability to be part of God's family... not based on what we did or need to do... but on what Jesus did on the cross!

It's good news for us and for the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many people today sit in darkness and despair.  They are hopeless and feel stuck and abandoned, overwhelmed, discouraged, empty, and lonely.  

We have good news for all those in the dark and feeling these things...

John 3: 16-17..."For God so loved the world ...He gave His only Son..that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

1 Corinthians 15: 55-57..."God gives us victory over sin and death in Jesus..."

In our lives, we should carry with us the evidence of what Jesus did on the cross and what it means. 

The Bible tells us ...

Luke 9:23... If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me...

Why?

The cross represents JESUS, our Savior!  Carrying the cross daily in our lives shows people Him...it's a  surrender to and an acceptance of Jesus as our Savior and King.  We carry a cross....as we say.... "not my will, but yours be done." It's a  humility, a reverence, a gratitude, a connection to God in Jesus that we have.  It's peace with God. It's hope!  It's a commitment to live as Jesus lived and to serve and love others as He has loved us.

What's amazing to me is this cross in our lives can also be lit by God's Spirit.  As God pours His life and hope and joy and peace and love into our lives ... it becomes light in us ... as we are healed and made new. As we are changed and transformed...this becomes a shining light that others can see.

Do people see in you ... a life that shines?  Is there a cross? Can they see Jesus?

You might say ... "Holly... I'm not shining. I'm not lit. I'm just trying to survive.  The past year or more has made me tired, frustrated and overwhelmed.  People don't see Jesus in me ... I don't think. They see my stress and my fear and my fatigue."  

Covid has been terrifying globally.

My Dad first called Covid "spooky"- like a weird twilight zone or sci-fi movie that didn't seem really real or even possible.  

What we've learned is it's real and it can quickly take you down and even take your life. It gives perspective and makes you realize how short life can be and how quickly it can end.

So how do we respond? What can we do if the world seems to be getting darker and darker.... more and more scary...

Things that can make us afraid and overwhelmed have actually been with us from the beginning....

There have always been storms in us... and around us... that can make us terrified.

Maybe Covid hasn't terrified you...or made you afraid... but other things can or will....

A doctor's report.  Job loss. A relationship ends. A bill can't be paid. Other sickness comes, Disease. A death comes of someone you love. There is a fire. A flood. An earthquake. A War. ....The list is endless...  And of course- there's Satan- wanting to make us hide our light. He wants to crush us and the light in us.

But I believe God wants our crosses and our lives... to still be seen...standing tall and lit up... no matter what we face! 

Matthew 5:14 ..."You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.."

Matthew 5:15-16... "Let your light shine before men...."

The world needs to see the cross and the light and love of God.  The world needs hope and the good news that Jesus died to give us.  We have hope that isn't based on how we feel or what we see. It's based on who we are in Jesus and the promises God has given us!

This world is not our home and we're only passing through. To live is Christ, to die is gain. 

We have eternity with God, free from pain and suffering to enjoy forever. It's an amazing, undeserved eternity.  And life here on earth, we can live in victory and with hope and joy.  And our hope doesn't waiver or shift. Our end is already written, our lives already saved in Jesus Christ!  

Now, God wants us shine this truth and hold it up. We need to run to the darkness with this good news to share!

If your light seems dim and the cross not evident...

Just get close to God. Let Him breathe His hope and light onto your life and remind you of the cross and what has already been done for you...

See Jesus and embrace Him ... then watch your life be set ABLAZE!

May our lives be lights that shine!!!

Please pray this for me.  The world needs Jesus and we have Him to share!!!

PRAISES

Celebrations and Holidays...

I was able to attend Hope University's Graduation in late August and it was a great joy to see many of my best students finish. I enjoyed visiting graduation parties and saying "well done" to so many.

Hope University's Graduation ... 420 finished!

OC- a top Hope University Food Science Student who graduated, one of my favorite students! 
Pictured here with his lovely wife!

Sami- one of my best Arch graduating class students

Architecture 5th Year Graduates... See Ya :-)

Arch 5 Celebration Trip... Victory Walk

Gech and Jimmy... two of my favorite Hope Graduates...Environment Students

September brought the Ethiopian New Year - 2014. I really do love that I'm seven years younger here...

I was able to spend time with the Kenna family and also with Hilina (who is now my neighbor)and her family. I'm so thankful for these dear families that God has blessed me with!

Kenna Family...Love them!

Hilina and family

Hilina and Noah!  

ETC did give me a class to teach this semester... Introduction to Missions. This class has been a huge blessing for me!!!  I praise God for these wonderful church leaders and the chance to challenge them to reach the world for Jesus!

EvaSUE- I have had the chance to continue meeting with the staff of EvaSUE. This is a great campus ministry and connection point for me and could lead to future work and partnership. Keep this in prayer.

EvaSUE Leadership Conference...

I've been grateful for cups of coffee and good memories with many of the other family God has given me here too...

Catching up with Hidi, love this sister of mine

Catching up with friend and "coach"  Belay

Celebrating Abu's 22nd birthday, with Yabi...love these two!

May God lead us and light us in the way ahead!

PRAYER REQUESTS

A huge struggle this past month has been with my sister and her husband Mike both catching breakthrough cases of Covid. Please continue to pray for them as they recover.

Covid also has made many here sick... including some of my closest neighbors and students. Please pray for all.  

For Hope Univ- starting a new school year soon (week of October 11)- please pray that God will place me where He wills it and give me work that is meaningful for Him.

For ETC- for my class- that God will light me up every week and speak through me to these wonderful church leaders.

For good health and protection, for my Dad, Mom, Sister and Mike too...for health, healing 

-For Ethiopia, there is still fighting in different regions and a huge problem in the north Tigray area. Pray for the government- for wisdom and resolution and peace.

For EvaSUE- and my possible partnership with them in work-ministry in the time ahead; that God will open that up as He wills it.

Thank you for the prayers!

How can I pray for you?

May the crosses in our lives be lit and may we shine in the dark with the good news of Jesus!

Blessings to you and your family this fall season!