Overdrive

It seems lately that my mind is stuck on overdrive. It doesn’t stop.

So much to think about….the Kenyan Elections we just had (praise God for the peace He brought in answers to prayers!), so many people I’ve recently met whose amazing God stories have helped me gain perspective, heartache both here and back home that brings me to my knees, the frustrations of the world’s governments…not to mention the many decisions I’ve started thinking about for my future, and the many projects I have going on at the moment.

Falling asleep at night is becoming more of a problem…but getting up in the morning is proving to be even more difficult…which has never been a problem for me.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all that’s going on. I feel it even more keenly living here, because now I have two homes, two sets of friends and churches…twice as much to think and to pray about. And I’m faced with needs and pain everyday that was much easier to turn a blind eye to when I was living in America (and as sad as that is, it’s the truth for so many of us).

Learning the art of letting go and letting God will be a life-long lesson I think. And reminding myself that Jesus never promised roses and and cookies (although I definitely find therapy and joy in baking…I baked 4 times in the last week!)…but He did promise trouble (John 16:33). And persecution (John 15:20). And a cross to bear(Luke 9:23). But He also promised life abundantly (John 10:10). Joy everlasting (John 16:22). An inheritance in His kingdom (Matthew 25:34). Adoption into His family (Romans 8:15). A love that never fails (1 John 4:16; 1 Corinthians 13). Perfect peace (John 14:27). Treasure that can never be stolen (Matthew 6:20). I could go on….

And so as I head to bed tonight, I will choose to remember that God is in control. I will choose to go to my knees in prayer when my thoughts threaten to drown out His voice. And I will be still. Because only in the silence can I hear His voice.

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act….Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him...”  -Psalm 37:1-5, 7a

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:28-31