Life has seasons.
Growing up in the US, these helped you keep track of the time of year. April was spring- you could see it arriving. Rains would fall. Temperatures would warm. Green would explode everywhere. Trees and flowers would bloom. Windows would be opened. Blue skies and sun would increase. You'd hear birds and lawn mowers going. It was so pretty after months of darkness and cold.
May was the countdown to summer. The temperatures would warm even more. The AC would come on, iced coffee would become more the beverage of choice. Shorts, sandals, sunglasses, pool time started arriving. School was finishing and it was hard to stay still. The lazy days of summer would beckon to you.
You had to change your clothes and you had to adapt to the changing seasons ... or you'd look funny or out of place. If you wore a winter coat in summer you would melt. If you didn't have an umbrella when rains fell, you'd get drenched.
Here in Ethiopia, the "seasons" are less noticeable so time flies and you can lose track of days. One day looks the same as the next. Is it already May? I was just shocked by that here this morning. When I took a picture of the sun rising, I noticed my backyard grass looked a little greener and bit taller. When I checked my calendar, I had a small shock. How was it already May? Weren't we just in February?
I'm so thankful for the seasons God has given me, both in the US and here in Ethiopia. Life is a gift and so is passing time.
I've been thinking this past week about intentionality through the seasons. We really do have to be intentional with our lives or we can lose them or spend them in ways that don't honor God.
Intentional means purposeful. If you're not intentional, your life can finish before you actually begin even living it.
The Bible tells us, our lives are not our own. They are gifts to us from God to steward, to care for , and to give back to Him. Being intentional means "aligning our plans with God's will. It involves seeking His guidance and surrendering to His purpose." How am doing with that? How are you?
It can be easy to forget to live with intentionality. If there's free time, we can waste it. If there's extra money, we can spend it, not give it. If we have a free evening, we can easily choose a mindless activity just to give ourselves what we think is "rest". If we have the privilege to meet someone to listen or to encourage that person, we can easily forget to focus on that person. We scroll while they sit there, which communicates some very negative messages. It could communicate: I don't see you, I don't care about you. You're not important. Which is probably NOT what we want to communicate. People need our undivided attention. God wants our undivided attention as well. Do we really give that to Him? Do we really give that to people that Jesus died to save?
So what can we do when we get distracted? Or we lose intentionality?
God's been reminding me of the value of creating space ... margins you put in your life where and when you can get before God. These spaces and times can clear your head and help you breathe. God, in these moments, can meet you and show you Himself and also your life, your time spent, your money spent, your focus. God wants us to get before Him and be REAL. Don't just talk, really be still and listen. Lay your plans before Him and ask for direction. Lay yourself before Him and ask Him to do what needs done. Cut what needs cut. Rip out what needs ripped. Tear down any altars or destroy any idols we've made. One of them being pride. Do you, do I, really pray like that? We have to be very intentional to keep God first and put Him as the top priority in our lives.
Social media is one area where we need big and wise intentionality. On it, we can lose time. We can lose real people around us. We can focus on image bearing ourselves to the world. I can't tell you how much time I sometimes can waste trying to take a good picture of myself. To what end? Usually none. God always reminds me after I waste that time .... am I to be a promotor of myself or a promotor of Him? Uhhhh. Gut check. We have to check what we message, what we promote. Is it really all about God and witnessing for Him- about Him?, or is it really about us, just wrapped in what looks spiritual or like spiritual activity?
May God help us.
Social media is a huge platform. Messages are communicated there. People are there, alot of youth are there, looking for content. What are you messaging? What are you liking? Sharing? Promoting? It needs intentionality by us all, and again, big wisdom.
May we live through every season God gives us with intentionality. This is my prayer for myself and for the church! May we see people and not miss them. May we see God and really BE with Him!
As spring turns to summer, may this next season be lived with true intentionality in honor of God!
Teach us to number our days, so we gain a heart of wisdom ... Psalm 90:12
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord ... Colossians 3: 24-25
Set your mind on things above ... Philippians 4:8
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind .. Hebrews 12:2
Walk wisely , making the most of every opportunity ... Ephesians 5:15-16
Praises / Prayer Requests
Praise God for a wonderful Student Ministry team retreat. This was for families as well. We enjoyed the rest and reflection as we shift from one season to the next.
Please pray for our staff and students as schools finish and we move into summer national programs; pray God gives us wisdom with planning
Pray for Ethiopia- a national election is in June
Pray for the fuel crisis, it's making things a mess here
If you'd like to make a one time donation for the work here or join my monthly support team, please message me or just join through the link below. I'm trying to build back up my ministry funds. Thank you for whatever God might lead you to give:
https://www.globaloutreach.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! I couldn't be here still without your faithful giving and prayers!
Blessed spring finishing and summer starting to you all. May we honor God through seasons and live for Him always with intentionality!
And Happy Mother's Day this weekend to all Moms. A special shout out to the amazing and beautiful and fit and classy Rosie Garrett. We love her so much! Happy Mother's Day Mom! We love you and are celebrating you globally!
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| Happy Mother's Day!!! |
