The other day, I was sitting at the edge of the coast watching the waves. I do this often but that day was different. The waves were as big and frequent as I had seen them in a long time, and the wind was really blowing hard. I watched as the white caps would roll in, flatten out as they reached the sand, and seemingly stop. On the surface, the ocean looks like a constant motion of “forward”. The way it constantly rolls in and forward almost looks therapeutic. The top of the ocean, or the part we can visibly see is actually quite predictable. Selah.
Anyone standing about knee deep would probably disagree when I said the main activity was on the surface. They would feel the sand shifting under their feet, the water rushing back out and the pull of the undertow. To the eye, we cannot see all that goes on the minute that wave stops on the sand and begins its journey back out to sea. The process of making the wave, the rip tide, the undertow; is all taking place and is done underneath what we can actually see. Can we see the pull underneath the wave? No, but we can certainly feel it if we get in the deep water…
For this upcoming Ethiopia trip, I think the same holds true. On the surface, we have made preparations, packed all the necessities, have a plan, and schedule. These are significant and important but these are only things we can see on the surface. I have a feeling that when we get into it, the hand of God is going to be like that undertow and show us that the trip is so much more than what we can actually see. Its bigger than teaching English. The teaching is only the surface, but what is going on beyond that outweighs anything we can imagine. The real work, the real movement, and the real outcome will be done below what seems apparent. I have a feeling God is going to do something huge. I don’t pretend to know what, but this I do know…the ramifications of it will be felt long after I leave the country. It will be felt in the hearts of those who are going with me long after they leave as well, and I dare say they will be forever changed by what is about to begin tomorrow. Even those of us who have been there before…
Yes, this trip is going to be huge…and if you will pray along with us, you will be just as much a part of it as we are. All glory to Him…see ya when I get home.
Peace.
2 Comments
June 6, 2008 at 12:23 pm
tomorrow! woo!
June 7, 2008 at 9:56 am
There is a reason why your a leader and this shows why.
Awesome words.