For Such A Time As This

    Every morning my husband wakes up first, and when I do finally come out of my deep slumber because that's the best sleep I get all night is right before it's time to get up!  I ask my husband the same question, "What time is it?". Well similarly I have a question about time and it's just the beginning of 2014, I am already wondering, "Will this be the year?"  Our time, right here, right now is the time God has put us in. To borrow a phrase from Esther, "For such a time as this".  This concept of where God allowed me to be born geographically and historically came to my mind early on in 2013 as I went with Ron Gay and a team or volunteers to Guatemala on what is known as a  Work and Witness trip.

  Through the Church of the Nazarene, local churches can assemble teams to go to where there are missionaries or foreign congregations that are in need of either Medical support, Construction  or Evangelistic type needs.  It is short term, around 10-15 days, but those 10-15 days can change your life!  Our team went to help with construction needs and to do some child evangelism (that's the part I do, don't ask me to paint or use any type of extender poles or to stand on a ladder- you can ask my husband about it!)

  Going to Guatemala was an eye opening experience for me, because as we went to the village I saw people living so poor and needy and yet so content.  I could go on and on, especially comparing our "needs" and theirs but that would be getting off my original topic.  Seeing these people made me question, "What if God in His sovereignty had me born here in Guatemala?".  What if instead of having a beautiful home with carpeted floors I lived in a shack with dirt floors and instead of having running water, I had to use an outhouse?  Or, what about those nice long hot showers I take on a cold day?

  My son was studying the book of Acts in Children's Bible Quizzing  at the time I was preparing to go to Guatemala. In studying with him I saw the apostle Paul declare that God chooses the time and place we are born! Act 17:26 (NIV) says, "From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."  (That whole passage Acts 17:16-34 is powerful, if you get a chance look it up and really think about what what is happening and what Paul is saying.  It will blow you away!)

  Well fast forward through the year of 2013 for me, as I'm sure for you it was a year of ups and downs and things that weren't planned on happened.  Some good, some bad and some that make me very sad.  At year end a friend went home to be with the Lord.  She left behind 5 boys ranging in age from 6-12 years old.  She was a single Mom and had been fighting Leukemia for the sake of her boys she fought long and hard over the past 4 years.

  As I sat in the memorial service different people shared how she had touched their lives and the events in her final weeks and days on this earth.  The rather morbid thought came to mind, when it all comes down to the end what do I want people to say about me?  I hope and pray that I live out my days helping to build the Kingdom of God ( and I don't mean construction wise- if you know what I mean, because I'm not good at that!)

  So back to my opening thought, "Will this be the year?"  Our time, right here, right now, is much like the times were when Jesus came to the earth as a baby.  "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light"  Are not the days growing darker?  And in the midst of that darkness shines the Light of Jesus!  We live in an exciting time when prophecies about Jesus' return are lining up and drawing us closer to the day when our Lord returns!  So could this be the year?  I don't know.  All I know is when He does return I want to be found busy shining that light and being used for building His kingdom!  

Happy New Year!  I close with the words from this song by Josh Wilson that hit me right between the eyes yesterday!

"I Refuse"

Sometimes I, I just wanna close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
well no they're not
This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
like nothin's wrong
But I refuse
cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse, to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh I could choose not to move
but I refuse
I can hear the least of these
cryin' out so desperately
and I know we are the hands and feet of You oh God
So if You say move
it's time for me to follow through
and do what I was made to do
and show them who You are
Cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse to sit around
and wait for someone else
to do what God has called me to do myself
Oh I could choose
not to move
but I refuse
to stand and watch the weary and lost
cry out for help
I refuse
to turn my back
and try and act like all is well
I refuse
to stay and change
to wait another day
to die to myself
I refuse
to make one more excuse
cause I don't wanna live like I don't care
I don't wanna say another empty prayer
Oh I refuse
to sit around and wait for someone else
to do what God has called me to do myself
oh I could choose
not to move
but I refuse
I refuse
I refuse
yeah