One of the things I love about traveling is the situations you suddenly find yourself in, with very little idea of how you have gotten into them and even less of a clue of how you are going to find yourself out on the other side. The first couple of weeks of elective have not disappointed! About a week ago I found myself alone on one of India’s famous trains at 5am rustling around the dark cabin, serenaded by snores, as sleeping bodies huddled in their bunks all around me. The train was due to arrive at Fatehpur, the town that is to be home for the next 2 months, and I was trying hard to unlock my bag that I had locked so diligently to my bunk with a chain the previous night. As I fumbled around in the dark it became apparent the lock would just not budge and the platform was looming all too close. As the sleeping mounds started to mumble and accuse me of stealing my own bag I sent up a quick prayer and was provided with an answer – not with the open lock I had originally set my sights on, but with lateral thinking. Opening clasps and cutting straps I was able to get my bag free and finally found myself standing on the platform bag in hand watching as the train pulled away – taking my chain and lock with it.
I was reading about Daniel’s desperate situation with Nebuchadnezzar today and was reminded again that our God can be trusted in all situations, with the big things (a lion’s cage) and with the little things (your passport and clothes for the next 2 months!). We know this, yet how often do we experience those moments when the happenings of life seem beyond our control. Our pulse rate and BP creep up, doubts course their way through our cerebral cortex (have to get something medical in here) and we run through the options of how ‘we’ can get ourselves out of this mess, how to take control of our own lives. Daniel’s story shows us again and again that God is in COMPLETE control. He’s got it, no need to worry, He has it planned and it will be for His glory.
In life, we learn to trust people by getting to know them better and experiencing life with them. As I’m sat a fan is beating over-head, a gecko is beating its tail on the wall, the heat is engulfing and time stretches out in front of me. It’s easy to get caught up with the bustle of life; what projects to get involved with, who to meet up with… but we rarely allow ourselves to take advantage of God’s gift of time. When was the last time you just sat and enjoyed time with God? Had a cup of coffee and enjoyed His company?! (Or a cup of tea as we are English!) See if you can take an hour to sit, rest and reflect on God’s love, faithfulness and promises for you. Your very existence is an act of worship to God. He made these bodies we are taking so many years to try and grasp. As we spend time with Him we will have a deeper understanding of the God who we are putting our trust and hope in, and the next time we find ourselves out of our depth we might just find our hearts beating a little more steadily.
If you could squeeze a prayer in there for India and for Juliette and me as we look forward to the rest of our time here that would be great too ;-)
In Him, Grace
I was reading about Daniel’s desperate situation with Nebuchadnezzar today and was reminded again that our God can be trusted in all situations, with the big things (a lion’s cage) and with the little things (your passport and clothes for the next 2 months!). We know this, yet how often do we experience those moments when the happenings of life seem beyond our control. Our pulse rate and BP creep up, doubts course their way through our cerebral cortex (have to get something medical in here) and we run through the options of how ‘we’ can get ourselves out of this mess, how to take control of our own lives. Daniel’s story shows us again and again that God is in COMPLETE control. He’s got it, no need to worry, He has it planned and it will be for His glory.
In life, we learn to trust people by getting to know them better and experiencing life with them. As I’m sat a fan is beating over-head, a gecko is beating its tail on the wall, the heat is engulfing and time stretches out in front of me. It’s easy to get caught up with the bustle of life; what projects to get involved with, who to meet up with… but we rarely allow ourselves to take advantage of God’s gift of time. When was the last time you just sat and enjoyed time with God? Had a cup of coffee and enjoyed His company?! (Or a cup of tea as we are English!) See if you can take an hour to sit, rest and reflect on God’s love, faithfulness and promises for you. Your very existence is an act of worship to God. He made these bodies we are taking so many years to try and grasp. As we spend time with Him we will have a deeper understanding of the God who we are putting our trust and hope in, and the next time we find ourselves out of our depth we might just find our hearts beating a little more steadily.
If you could squeeze a prayer in there for India and for Juliette and me as we look forward to the rest of our time here that would be great too ;-)
In Him, Grace