God's Faithfulness

I love to sit and reflect on our lives; where we've been and where we're going. It amazes me to see the hand of God. His faithfulness, His abundance and His truths. Our God is so good, all the time! He has shown us His goodness when we've been standing on the mountain tops, but even more amazing than that, He has shown us His goodness in the valleys. Life is constantly changing and I am learning to embrace change, its a process for me. But our God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His nature is always consistent.

Everyday I see God working on His plan for our lives. In that things change often; just when I'm comfortable, things start changing. I've come to realize that, its actually the graciousness of God. He knows us so well and knows just what we need, even before we know it. God knows that I have to process things and often times wrestle with it. So instead of just saying "ok its time to Go to Africa" He's doing it in phases. I am so thankful that my God shows us grace and love even in our weaknesses. We are preparing to move once again. God has given us an opportunity to save money and simplify our lives as we continue to raise support and prepare to go to the field full time. This move requires us to really downsize and get rid of a lot of stuff. It took me a little time to process and work through the idea, but I clearly heard God speaking to me and letting me know that this IS His plan and though I might not be comfortable with it, I need to trust Him, knowing He sees the big picture. I can now say the idea of being free of stuff and living simply is quite inviting. God is moving and I am so excited to see How His plans will come to be. When He says go, I want to be ready. One of my favorite passages of scripture that God brings to my mind often is: 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. Isaiah 43: 18-19. I love reading about the Israelites journey out of bondage in Egypt to the promise land. God did so many amazing things along the way: providing food, parting the Red Sea, providing a cloud of smoke by day and fire by night, protecting them against their enemies, the list goes on and on. They often grumbled and complained against God in spite of all He had just done for them. Most of them never Got to cross into the promise land, they missed out on all that God had for them, because of their lack of belief in the things God had said and shown them. I've asked myself, "How could they doubt God, after all the miracles they saw?" Then I realized we are, no different. God is at work in the lives of His people everyday, doing amazing things. I have found myself moments after God has provided in a huge way, saying "I know you just did this, but what about all these other things?" talk about being an Israelite! Often I'm reminded of these scriptures and it is my prayer that unlike the average Israelite who doubted God, I will be like Joshua, who trusted God and went ahead courageously, doing as God commanded him to do and in the end entered the promised land. Just like God promised! Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

It is so exciting to see God doing the same thing in our lives as He shows us through people in Scripture. He has amazing things in store for all of us who are His children. He wants to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. We just need to be strong and courageous! Are you ready? I am!