Visa Granted. Here we go, South Africa! But... What do I take? It's a move, and we're going for two years, so it's not permanent. What do I leave behind?
That's not the only dilemma we're facing. Just yesterday I got to talking to a couple at the mechanics, and an opportunity started to open up. I didn't get a chance to share the gospel with them yet, but the thought occurred to me: "But I'm leaving so soon... A little over a month and we'll be gone... I don't have the time to invest in this couple the way I usually do! Should I just leave it at the gospel and an invitation to come worship with our group? Or should I go full blast and get involved?"
And what about the saints here - do I start pulling away? Or do I step on it, and let the band-aid get ripped off on departure day?
What would you do?
I'll tell you what I'm doing: tomorrow I'm going to go see the couple at the mechanics and, Lord willing, speed through any door that opens. With God's help I'm going to take every chance to spend time with our group here, giving them all of my energy. And to Africa I'll take whatever fits in 6 suitcases that can be useful to a life of serving.
Our apostle mentions the virtue of loving the Lord's return (2Tm.4:8). I think we should live as if the Rapture were happening today, but we should plan our future as if God intends for ours to be a long life.
So with your prayers we desire to spend the next few weeks the same way we have lived so far, burning the candle on both ends and not fooling around with time. It's precious, and it should be used to the max (Cl.4:5-6,,"Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time")!
Love this attitude. God bless you in all your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I assume you mean the attitude of making the best of our time, serving our God with zeal. The other day it occurred to me, "Wow, the Lord Jesus did so much in 3 years!!!" Puts things into perspective for me, especially on how we spend time.
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