You think you have life all under control. You think you've got it all figured out. Sure, one can figure that the occasional unpredicted curveball will knock things around but in general things are under your control.
Don't do that.
You know what's going to happen?
After you've sung that song about giving Jesus control of your life and how you'll "praise Him through the storm" He'll send one. Yep, it's probably the one thing that's predictable.
I was sure I wanted to experience Japan, at lease in terms of my own volition. After much prayer, peace, and seemingly divine timing I sensed that God's current plan for me was to follow that passion. After the earthquake disaster this past March my trip was put on hold and no one knew the long term effects, including how it would prevent me from traveling to Japan. As I was praying for direction and wisdom I sensed that perhaps God just wanted me to take a step of faith, to risk something that was important to me and put His desires before my own. Forced to reevaluate my reasons to going to Japan I realized that while all the "right" reasons were there, they were out of order. Here's what it looked like:
1. To have steady work. This is a good thing, naturally, as I had student loan debt and want to be financially responsible.
2. To experience Japan! I have always wanted to go visit this land and delve into the culture, meet people, and basically see what's outside of America. This includes using Japanese and possibly learning JSL! (Japanese Sign Language)
3. To live as a witness for Christ for the Japanese people, living in such a way that honors God and shows His character and love to the Japanese people--and to have my employer endorse this mission :)
Of course this was before I saw the light.
These were all things I could control and plan.
Once my number one priority, me, was taken out of the equation I had to do some reevaluation of my priorities. I came to the realization that I have come to a place in my life where I am fully responsible for my life and my actions. I think we have been programmed to believe that this also means we need to take care of ourselves financially and physically. Unfortunately, we forget that the Creator of the Universe is the ultimate one in charge. We trick ourselves into thinking that God will take care of us up until a point. We pray for our sick Grandparents, our neighbor's cat, and for the occasional special request, but how many of us REALLY believe that God can care for our basic every day needs? It's quite a stretch if you've never been in a position that requires that kind of action, that kind of faith. Most people won't voluntarily put themselves in that position either!
So, after my plane to Japan was grounded I made some choices. After deep evaluation of my life's goal I realized that though I was easily able to give the Sunday School answer "To live for God!" I never imagined a plausible circumstance where that declaration of faith would actually be tested. I decided to be faithful.
There was a time of doubt to be sure when a few members of the team decided to pull out due to the uncertainty of the situation and other factors. Realizing this was an option had not internalized until that moment; my decision to stay only became more firm and my reliance upon God's provision became stronger.
Upon arriving at orientation this week I immediately felt a sense of connection between the team. Through discussion, lectures and slideshows we learned more about our future home. This only made me more excited to step off of the tarmac and breathe air perfumed with sakura blossoms. As the week closed the reality of possibly waiting for weeks or months seemed less concerning; I knew that Japan and I would meet someday, and whether or not this year or this decade would provide that opportunity, God would still provide for me until then.
This morning, last day of orientation and April Fool's Day (coincidentally), our head of affairs in Japan and employer gave us a projected date of entry into Japan, around May 6, 2011. By this time the school system will have normalized and the shinkansen (bullet trains) will be up and running.
I don't think it was coincidental that God gave me time to prepare my heart before this trip. Without this hiccup in the plans, I would never have prioritized my life to look like this:
1. To love the Lord with all my mind, heart, and soul. To love my neighbor as myself. To be faithful to God's leading, to depend on Him and trust the people He has placed in leadership.
2. To live as a witness for Christ for the Japanese people, living in such a way that hones God and shows His character and love to the Japanese people.
3. To teach English in such a way that instills inquisitiveness and zeal for learning in my students, and fosters a supportive relation among my coworkers as I endeavor to mediate the presence of Christ.
4. To experience the culture, appreciate the differences and even embrace or participate in those customs that seem pointless :)
Things could change but my priorities are in a good place now, I think. Notice that having steady work no longer makes the grade…
Don't do that.
You know what's going to happen?
After you've sung that song about giving Jesus control of your life and how you'll "praise Him through the storm" He'll send one. Yep, it's probably the one thing that's predictable.
I was sure I wanted to experience Japan, at lease in terms of my own volition. After much prayer, peace, and seemingly divine timing I sensed that God's current plan for me was to follow that passion. After the earthquake disaster this past March my trip was put on hold and no one knew the long term effects, including how it would prevent me from traveling to Japan. As I was praying for direction and wisdom I sensed that perhaps God just wanted me to take a step of faith, to risk something that was important to me and put His desires before my own. Forced to reevaluate my reasons to going to Japan I realized that while all the "right" reasons were there, they were out of order. Here's what it looked like:
1. To have steady work. This is a good thing, naturally, as I had student loan debt and want to be financially responsible.
2. To experience Japan! I have always wanted to go visit this land and delve into the culture, meet people, and basically see what's outside of America. This includes using Japanese and possibly learning JSL! (Japanese Sign Language)
3. To live as a witness for Christ for the Japanese people, living in such a way that honors God and shows His character and love to the Japanese people--and to have my employer endorse this mission :)
Of course this was before I saw the light.
These were all things I could control and plan.
Once my number one priority, me, was taken out of the equation I had to do some reevaluation of my priorities. I came to the realization that I have come to a place in my life where I am fully responsible for my life and my actions. I think we have been programmed to believe that this also means we need to take care of ourselves financially and physically. Unfortunately, we forget that the Creator of the Universe is the ultimate one in charge. We trick ourselves into thinking that God will take care of us up until a point. We pray for our sick Grandparents, our neighbor's cat, and for the occasional special request, but how many of us REALLY believe that God can care for our basic every day needs? It's quite a stretch if you've never been in a position that requires that kind of action, that kind of faith. Most people won't voluntarily put themselves in that position either!
So, after my plane to Japan was grounded I made some choices. After deep evaluation of my life's goal I realized that though I was easily able to give the Sunday School answer "To live for God!" I never imagined a plausible circumstance where that declaration of faith would actually be tested. I decided to be faithful.
There was a time of doubt to be sure when a few members of the team decided to pull out due to the uncertainty of the situation and other factors. Realizing this was an option had not internalized until that moment; my decision to stay only became more firm and my reliance upon God's provision became stronger.
Upon arriving at orientation this week I immediately felt a sense of connection between the team. Through discussion, lectures and slideshows we learned more about our future home. This only made me more excited to step off of the tarmac and breathe air perfumed with sakura blossoms. As the week closed the reality of possibly waiting for weeks or months seemed less concerning; I knew that Japan and I would meet someday, and whether or not this year or this decade would provide that opportunity, God would still provide for me until then.
This morning, last day of orientation and April Fool's Day (coincidentally), our head of affairs in Japan and employer gave us a projected date of entry into Japan, around May 6, 2011. By this time the school system will have normalized and the shinkansen (bullet trains) will be up and running.
I don't think it was coincidental that God gave me time to prepare my heart before this trip. Without this hiccup in the plans, I would never have prioritized my life to look like this:
1. To love the Lord with all my mind, heart, and soul. To love my neighbor as myself. To be faithful to God's leading, to depend on Him and trust the people He has placed in leadership.
2. To live as a witness for Christ for the Japanese people, living in such a way that hones God and shows His character and love to the Japanese people.
3. To teach English in such a way that instills inquisitiveness and zeal for learning in my students, and fosters a supportive relation among my coworkers as I endeavor to mediate the presence of Christ.
4. To experience the culture, appreciate the differences and even embrace or participate in those customs that seem pointless :)
Things could change but my priorities are in a good place now, I think. Notice that having steady work no longer makes the grade…
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