Sunday, August 30, 2009

Lessons from Lazarus.

I received this email in my google inbox this morning, a refreshing daily does of truth I get from Hong Kong, and a reminder that I needed to hear, especially today.

Evan left yesterday, and along with him, a huge part of my heart.

I came home after the airport to an unkept room (it's been a busy summer...), a dusty floor, pictures peeling and falling off the wall due to heat and humidity, noticing sadly, that the state of my room felt like the state of my heart and soul right then.

Out of place. Tired. Weary. Spent. Lonely.

I have committed to teach another year. It seems daunting at times, a lot is expected, and though I have one year under my belt, it still feels like I have no idea what I am doing. But the Lord has a plan for this, for me, for this time of loneliness, for this time of learning about people, the world, and about me.

Here's to Lazarus and his lessons.


Lessons From Lazarus
That the Son of God may be glorified through it.

Here are three more lessons from Lazarus:

1) God has a bigger and better plan in mind. Lazarus was four days dead when Jesus arrived. When the Lord waits, it's for two reasons: a) That He may be glorified. The Pharisees believed that your spirit left your corpse on the fourth day after you died. So if Jesus had intervened earlier they'd have said, 'He wasn't really dead.' Hence He told His disciples, "This sickness is… for the glory of God" (John 11:4 NKJV). It's in looking back that we clearly see God's hand at work b) That our faith may be strengthened. Jesus said, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe" (John 11:15 NKJV). In life, crises come and go. Your next crisis will be different from your last one, but the thing that must remain strong is your faith.

2) God will ask you to remove the hindrances and deal with the stench. "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha… said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days'" (John 11:38-39 NKJV). Are you praying for an answer in one area, while God's telling you to take away the stone and deal with a 'stench' buried in another? Surrender, you can't win! When your heart's right with God your prayers will be answered.

3) God wants to make you a living testimony. Everywhere Lazarus went, without even speaking a word, his life declared that Jesus is Lord. And the same should be true of you. God has saved and raised you up to be a testimony to His grace and goodness.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Still Alive.

I don't know if I've lost all of my followers/readers/occasional checker-upers here (let me know if you're all still around) BUT...

I am still alive, still in China and I am back!

I will try to keep my blog updated with my newly acquired internet ninja skills (if you get my drift...) and will be posting pictures here as well as here ---> click it!

I have just finished an amazing and busy 2 months of summer: 1 week vacation to Beijing (including a 4 hour hike on the Great Wall!!!), 40 hours a week for 8 weeks of English summer school, 1 trip to the beach, 1 Chinese BBQ, 1 day trip to Chaozhou, 1 trip to the oldest Church in my city, one burnt leg from a motorbike tailpipe, lots of heat, sweat, Chinese food, and exploring Shantou with one amazing and incredible man. This amazing man left for the US early this morning, leaving my heart and being feeling beaten, worn, and empty.

1 more year of teaching English, my choice, and I believe, His will.

School begins Tuesday.