Broken

That is the word that describes the events since I have been home and how I have felt because of them. Relationships, cars, health, bodies, phones...they have reminded me continually of the brokenness of this world and our desperate need for Jesus, the only Restorer and Healer. Despite everything, though, God is so good and so faithful. He always brings His Word and His Truth at just the right time. Last Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the Global Leadership Summit hosted via satellite in Cape. Jason Mac was so gracious to invite my sister and I to attend as well as pay our way. I am so humbled and blown away by his willingness to invest in our leadership despite the fact that MH will probably benefit little from it since my sister and I are usually out of town. This was all arranged by God, no doubt, because the conference was just what I needed. It encouraged, inspired and challenged me…and met me right where I am.


One speaker Jeff Manion talked about “The Land in Between,” which was the title of his message as well as the title of his book. The Land in Between is when you are in a state of transition. He used the example of the Israelites who were wandering in the desert on their way to the Promised Land from Egypt (Numbers 11). I am transitioning between living and serving in South Asia and going back to school in Louisville. Even though this is a dry time in life, it is still fertile ground for things to grow. Manion named four things that can grow. One is grumbling and complaining (check—even though I haven’t been doing so vocally, I have been inwardly). Another is having a meltdown (check check). The third and fourth are more positive: God’s provision and God’s discipline. I cannot even recount all the ways God has provided through these trying times. His hand has been so clearly evident showing that He is always in control, redeeming these events for His glory and my good (Romans 8:28). For instance, on the eve on the night when I was supposed to head to Louisville, my car’s battery died. We quickly replaced that (for 50 cents, praise Jesus) and then immediately afterwards the belt tensioner broke (it holds the belt in place and keeps it tight). This very well could have happened on the road or when I was in Louisville. Needless to say, I stayed an extra day in F’town because of the repairs and headed to Louisville on Wednesday.

God’s discipline is a little harder to put my finger on, but I know that this is all to make me more like Jesus Christ. One thing is for sure, if not for all of these things that have completely overwhelmed me and sent me running into the arms of my Savior, I would have fallen into my default mode of self-sufficiency. God, however, would not even give me the chance. Since my return, He has been reminding me of how much I need Him…every moment of every day. He is the reason I live and move and breathe (Acts 17:28). Every good thing I have or am comes from Him (James 1:17). He is too gracious to allow me to become too comfortable and so He has been giving me more than I can handle so that I will trust Him more. It's working.

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:17-19).