Thinking about what to write is kind of intimidating. I think it’s mostly because I wish we could share EVERYTHING with you guys; the walks through the streets, the faces we’ve met, the words we’ve learned, all the sounds and smells. But because that’s obviously not possible, I’m left with a blank word document and the task of consolidating and portraying tidbits that hopefully relay a truthful and honest picture of life here. Which seems like a daunting task, so maybe just talking about what God’s been talking to me about would be the best way to sum it up.
Since being here I haven’t been able to stop reading Hebrews chapter eleven. I randomly began the Book our first week here and my eyes have been glued ever since. Here’s a little paraphrase:
Hebrews 11:1-3 (MSG) “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.”
The chapter then goes into the “hall of faith” as Paul lists tremendous acts of faith recorded throughout Scripture, and notes he wouldn’t have time to list them all. Talk about consolidation…
And then in verses 13-16: “Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients of this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that – heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.”
Incredible. So many examples in Scripture of these people whose lives looked drastically different because of their belief in things that they never saw come to fruition.
So it makes me think: if the things I feel God’s called me to and the goals I’ve set – if I never saw those things come to fruition would I still have faith that He called me to them? Would I still have faith that it was part of His plan and that His plan was good?
I think the reason I can’t get over this chapter is because it’s made me take a step back and remember that (a) God wants me more than my service AND (b) I don’t belong here. It’s by His grace that we get to be a small part of His massive, glorious plan but we are transients of this world, this is not our home. I want to continuously fight the tendency and misconception that I need to settle on in and get comfortable and remember that there is a City waiting for us! And so while simultaneously longing for “heaven country” we get to press on in faith and run with perseverance and endurance with our eyes fixed on Jesus alone knowing that His plans ALWAYS prevail, whether we see them or not.
I just really needed that lately and idk, maybe you did too. Seriously, go read the chapter in whole, it’s so stinken cool.
In other news, we are healthy, well, and happy!
All our love,
Sophie (and Matt)