Friday, 19 September 2008

• The Road Home

  I know this is being taped. And when I say things here, I realize I'm not only talking to this congregation, but across the world. And I... Because these tapes go out to many, many nations, and they take them even back in the tribes in Africa, back in there, and they set there, and the minister takes it and interprets those tapes to the people, back in where they don't even know which is right and left hand. See? Way back into Australia and through there where people are--are--don't even... The only thing they eat is... The way they get sugar is take a little shell and dig out a bunch of ants and bite the back of them off like that. That's how they exist on getting their sugar. And they don't have clothing; they don't have nothing. They take an old kangaroo and throw him up on a fire, insides in him entrails and everything, and scorch it a little and then eat it. And that's--that--it's terrible. And remember, these tapes are played back in there. The Message you're listening to here is played back in there, by hundreds of missionaries taking these tapes and playing them back in there, and interpret It to the people.
  Brother William Branham, 1962 - "Countdown"
  
  

  
  

  
  End of day. End of term, for that matter. I was glad to be able to finally let go of the stress of the day, the pressure of the last minute rush before the students disperse for the break the teachers and staff long so much for. Reflecting on the trials of the day, I kicked my shoes off, and slowly removed my hair pins. All twenty of them.
  
  It had been a long term. Eventful, and not always in a good way. Character building, yes. But also one I was glad to say goodbye to. I was tense, and I knew it. The coffee, my first in weeks, had done little to help that. Other staff were turning to various means of release. Food. Gym. Other means I wouldn't condone. Chocolate. I needed chocolate. There was some in the glove box, hidden there for emergencies such as this. Tired, I sipped an energy drink.
  
  Then came the quote. God, speaking in the way He always does.
  
  Simply.
  
  Personally.
  
  Reminding me that forty-six years ago, He knew I would be listening to that tape at that particular moment. That He would know that I would need to hear just some identification, right at that time. And that the all of it was for me. All just for me.
  
  I looked up, and there He was.
  
  In simplicity.
  
  

  
  

  
  Ominous storm clouds. The sunset below. And above, sunrays of silver and light. Beauty no camera can recapture.
  
  God, in His universe. In His creation. Nature, reflecting His glory.
  
  Reminding me of His greatness. That He, God very God, Who fills all time and space and eternity was there, present. That the very One who made the sun, the clouds and the very air I breath, still loves and cares.
  
  All tension left. The chocolate suddenly meant nothing. How could it, when there was Him?
  
  There I sat, in my car on the side of the road, watching the sun set, thanking Him, listening to His Word. Word that corrects and builds and teaches and confirms. Word that washes, gently removing the mire.
  
  Over and over these past few weeks, He's been showing Himself like this.
  
  Simply.
  
  Personally.
  
  

  
  

  
  I still long to know more of Him, more of His power, and His glory. But recently, it's been in the everyday, simple humble moments that He makes Himself most real. Showing me that He's not an additional accessory to my life. That He isn't just reserved to my prayer life or my church going. But that in everything I do, He is there.
  
  Always there. Always present. Always before me.
  
  Even in the work I do. The people I meet, and interact with.
  
  Today I was asked, by one with a SoCal accent, "What do you like most about working here?"
  
  Tough question for the last day of term. When the schedule is so tight, and more keeps getting squeezed into it. When everything that is under control suddenly falls apart, and you're the one left trying to keep everything together.
  
  I answered, slowly.
  
  "Every day is different, a new challenge... The country, the drive here, with no traffic, is awesome... and the people. I love the people. Working with Christians is great, being able to talk about the Lord, and share faith, is wonderful."
  
  The Lord, again. It always comes back to Him.
  
  That one point alone is one of the greatest blessings, and one of the greatest challenges. That not all see Him and reverence Him the way they ought.
  
  

  
  

  
  This morning I was subjected to yet another Rob Bell DVD. At first, he made a few good points that stuck with me. For the rest, I sat there frowning at my growing list of reasons I can't agree with him. For some reason, he irritates me. Rick Warren annoys me, but this guy really irritates me. I think it's because he strikes me as a universalist. And, that even though he gets really excited about his own revelations, he can't exactly back them up in scripture.
  
  But one of the things that did stick with me was, "Perhaps God is all around, and we just fail to see Him because we are too busy and too distracted."
  
  Indeed, perhaps.
  
  God, all around... In the common. Everyday. Simple. Humble.
  
  I know I still need that shut away, closet time with my Lord. Pouring out my heart to Him. Soul travail. That I need to take time from the everyday, to enter into His presence. Alone. Personally. And that I need more of Him. So much more of Him.
  
  But I'm also coming to realise, that I need never leave that Presence, either. That in the everyday, God is present. In all I do. And, should never be, can never be, seperate from the everyday.
  
  Real. Always.
  
  

  
  

  
  It's been a while since I last posted. Since the day of Mandy's funeral, actually. Thank you all for your prayers, for both myself and Mandy's family. I wish there was more I could say on this, but at the moment, I can't. But I do know God has been working in me, teaching me and moulding me continuously since then. Which of course always means numerous trials, but also many testimonies. Testimonies I hope to share soon. I think there are at least five posts swimming round in my head, just waiting to be expressed. Now that I am on holidays, I should be able to take the time and type more than I have been of late.
  
  Until then, may God richly bless each and every one of you!
  
  
  PS. I know that quote doesn't directly relate to, or give confirmation to my post. That's ok. I'm not preaching. I'm just sharing what took place during my day, and some of the many thoughts that encompass it!
  
  PS2. We don't really eat ants and kangaroo entrails. Not any more.

  • 6:03 PM
  • 127 Views
  • 10 eProps
  • 5 Comments