Monday, February 20, 2012

Rest for the Weary


Jeffery's Bay: Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

"He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new
strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31

Here at 13th FLOOR, the first five weeks of the training period have been intense for all of the students. Actually, intense isn’t a strong enough word - down right exhausting is more like it. This past week, I was sitting on the beach staring at the sand taking in its form. The erosion of siliceous and other rocks over a long, long period of time forms sand. Erosion and change takes years upon years. Often change within a person takes years as well. On the other hand, there are significant acts of nature that dramatically change large rocky edifices into millions of tiny stones.  I feel this later description fits the dramatic nature of pressure and change going on in the students’ lives in the first five weeks of joining the 13thFLOOR  performing arts ministry. They have been pushed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In only five weeks we have traversed from casting calls to completing dress rehearsals for two of our four shows. Our daily schedule often begins at 6am and ends at 11:30 pm. They have been challenged daily with teachings and lessons opening their minds and challenging their view or God and themselves. And for many of them, it is their first time living away from home. Many of the students and leaders, including myself, were on the verge of complete exhaustion. But, God stepped in. His timing couldn’t have been better timed.

We all packed our bags, loaded the vans and headed to Jeffery’s Bay for Inofez. Inofez is a yearly conference for gap year ministries to network and learn together. Normally days are jammed full of daytime sessions, nightly worship and teaching. This year, however, there was a lot more free time than normal. God provided a much needed time to rest and refuel. AND, I finally could enjoy time to be relational. It was such a joy for me to see the students lying at the beach, learning more about each other and just simply taking time to rest. As Isaiah 40 says,  “even youths will become weak and tired…(but) He gives power to the weak.” 
We were beyond tired but He gave us exactly what we needed. He truly is a giving God!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Out of My Control


Last week was “just one of those weeks.” Nothing seemed easy. I have been searching for a flat since before I even arrived here, but it seems the rest of Pretoria is on the hunt for a flat as well. Carine (my future roommate) and I have really liked a couple of flats, but each time we have applied someone beat us to the punch. I have also been looking for a car.  I found one online that seemed just perfect. I was so excited to finally have a bit of freedom …but the car ended up being too good to be true. AND I was close to losing my entire savings in a fraudulent transaction.  I woke up with an intense migraine and rash all over my hand. My phone stopped working, my Internet wouldn’t log on, and the bank put a block on my cards. An added dimension is that it was fundraising week, which meant standing at the stoplights (or they call robots) very early every morning, dressed in funny costumes, asking the stopped cars to donate money, admittedly, an approach not customary to fundraising in the U.S. As if that is not enough, it was the week of our first dress rehearsal which went from 8:00 am Monday morning until 4:30 am Tuesday.  Motivating a team who was exhausted physically and emotionally used up my final emotional reserves. I was spinning out of control. THEN GOD SPOKE. . . AND REMINDED ME THAT HE HAS BEEN, IS STILL AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN CONTROL.

I was desperate for a moment to myself. I opened up my copy of Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young.  God spoke loud and clear…

Trust Me, and don’t be afraid. Many things feel out of control. Your routines are not running smoothly. You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable. Let me lead you to the rock that is higher than you and your circumstances. Take refuge in the shelter of My wings, where you are absolutely secure. 

When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities. Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, accept the challenge of something new. I lead you on from glory to glory, making you fit for My kingdom. Say yes to the way I work in your life. Trust Me, and don’t be afraid.

(Isaiah 12:2, Psalm 61:2-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

I felt like God was using Young's pen to speak directly to me.  The WORD of God is perfect for teaching and reproach. I humbled myself and asked for His WORD to redeem me and make right a new perspective in me. I praise His name. I am being forced to rely on him in ways I never have before, but I love it. Praise Him for being forever faithful and forever personal.

Purple's Management Committee

Meet the 2012 13thFLOOR Purple Team's Management Committee...



Jaco B., Lindsey, Johan, Carla, Valentia, Jaco N., and Myself