on a hilltop

“You are the light of the world like a city on hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket . Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your good deeds shine out for all to see , so that EVERYONE will praise your HEAVENLY FATHER.”

Matthew 5:14-16

We are simply vessels reflecting the light of our FATHER/MAKER/LOVER/LORD to reveal truth to the world around us. People are watching us and listening to us ……constantly…their hearts are searching for truth and we may be the only light and love they see in this dark world.

Life is so short. We must live for eternity. Obedience is truly bliss.

Because of our recent travels with my parents to Mount Nebo I was reminded of  Moses’ story.

God’s good is sooo different than our good! Our good usually has something to do with promoting us, our agenda or promoting God in our own way. That is why Moses couldn’t go to the promised land he was only allowed to see it from a distance after 40 years of roaming in the desert.  God wanted Moses to speak to the rock then water would come out…. all he had to do was simply obey God. But Moses hit the rock twice… and did things in his own way for whatever reason… he thought he was doing something pleasing for God that would bring God glory. But he didn’t do what God wanted him to do so he couldn’t go to the promised land.

Today water still runs from that rock as it has for thousands of years. All around people recognize the underground river as coming from Moses’ rock. God still loved his people and gave them water because they needed it… but Moses paid the consequences for not obeying God fully. The Bible said he was an ordinary man, he stuttered and couldn’t even speak to Pharaoh even though he knew God was with him, he questioned God many times, he messed up a lot. A lot like us, really. 

Part of saying YES to God is doing what God wants God’s way. Most of the time God will ask us to do things outside of our ability. He doesn’t need us to help Him….He is more than able but He wants us involved because He knows HE is what is best for us and as we are obeying Him we realize our desperate need for the Holy Spirit and cling to God even closer.

There are many reasons why our family is making a move but the main reason is God is leading us down that path. We don’t know how long, we think it is to set up a relationship with a national leader for the work to continue here. The point is not the why so much as it is the YES. This is God’s work and His plan is so much bigger than ours… none of us know what tomorrow holds…but we can be obedient today and join Him today in what He is up to.

It doesn’t mean it is easy. Before the Bible mentions the light passage.. there are the “Blessed are” verses. God’s good is different than man’s… Man would say “Cursed are” to some of these but God sees these as good.  

“God blesses those who are poor….  who mourn…. who are humble…who work for peace… God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right….God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you, and say all sorts of evil thing against you because you follow me. Be happy about it be very glad...”

It is not easy leaving our families, our friends, not to mention…the comforts of home, indoor heat and cooling …grass…. Ice cream and chocolate chips… ;)  It is not easy being a country where we are learning the language but still can’t communicate past “how are you?”…we are dependent on translators, constantly there are people in need begging for help…. It is not easy helping them or knowing how to help them best…. It is not easy dealing with the mass of problems here, and discipling people. It is not easy managing our responsibilities with GPPD in the states as we are here. None of it is easy. But it doesn’t mean it is not what God wants or that JOY can't be found here.

We joy that God has allowed us to be a part of His work here. Already we have a different perspective. It has allowed us a small glimpse in the lives of our Gpartners who live and serve overseas full time. It has allowed us into the lives of some very courageous followers of God that have suffered much. 

I love being in a place where…. for a such a time as this…..over 1,000,000 people have sought refugee here from neighboring countries. It would be hard to go to these countries but they have come to us and the few true believers of this church and community center are the first light and love many of them have ever seen.

I do know that for whatever any of us have in life… these verses stand true…

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - Rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. REMEMBER – the LORD is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything INSTEAD pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done! THEN you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. AND NOW…. Dear brothers and sisters…. One final thing – FIX your thoughts on what is true……” Phil 4:4-8