New Adventure Means New Challenges

So, I've been in London for nearly two weeks and let me tell you, this adventure has not been what I thought it would be.  It has been so much harder!  

When I entered into this grand new adventure I expected fun times, new friends, and great stories to return home with, and the whole time I thought that it would be effortless.  I was so wrong!  Yes, I am having fun times, making new friends, and I'm sure I will have great stories to share with my family and friends when I get back, but it has been difficult. 

In the midst of these challenges, I can see how God is drawing me closer to him.  I feel that in order to just survive I have to cling to my Papa God.  It is so easy to become drained and when that happens I often shut down.  I become numb to my heart, and basically give up.  God has not let that happen so far.  Instead He is leading me down a path that constantly brings me back to Him, but I still have to choose into taking that path.

As I have followed Jesus down this narrow path I have been able to see the Father’s good heart.  I see the way that He is fathering me, as a Dad teaches and encourages his son.  I have also seen how He is wooing my heart back to Himself, as a husband romances His bride.  God’s heart for me is good and He truly cares for me. 

Over the past two weeks, I haven’t always felt this much at peace with my challenging adventures.  I have had my fair share of freak out moments, where I have asked God, multiple times, “Why?”  Why did He bring me here?  Is this a punishment?  Does He actually love me?  If so, why I am here in London and not with my community back at home? 

Through my tears and anger God still spoke to me.  He asked me to trust Him.  To trust that His plan for me here in London, is good.  He gave me a picture of a father holding his crying infant in the night.  The father was holding his child close to his chest whispering, “Hush my child, it will all be alright.  When have I left you hungry?  When have I not comforted you?  I have always been there for you, even before the beginning of time.”

This picture and these words gave me peace.  Although I still struggle daily to trust my Father, I come back to His promises and can trust that He will never leave me, nor forsake me.  He is my Papa God, leading me down this great adventure.  Drawing me closer to His heart.  Inviting me to take the next step with Him, even if the way seems unclear.  He is asking me to trust Him, and that is what I am choosing to do!

It would be too hard to share with you everything that God has been doing in my heart.  This is just a glimpse at the marvelous work He is up to in my life although I want to share with you one more thing.

Even though it has been a struggle living here in London, I see how God is growing my heart for this city.  Every morning I eat breakfast and look out our kitchen window, watching this busy city.  My heart breaks for the people here.  I long for them to see the living God, who loves them and desires to call them His own.  I ask that you would join me in praying for this city.  That God would come and open eyes and soften hearts, that He would be welcomed here to move in new ways, ways that this city has never seen before. 

I feel called to pray Psalm 67 over London, every day from now until I leave, and I'm inviting you to join me!