for love is the breath

There are several things you should know.

1. I am moving to Northern Ireland to work with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) for the next two years – in five weeks.

2. From my human perspective, this is impossible.

There’s nothing like quitting my jobs, selling most of my belongings and storing the rest, being humbled by my own vulnerability and warmed by the generosity of others, plus being overwhelmed by the unknown to really wear me out.

To give you a little history: I have always reacted to big changes in one way. SHEER PANIC. Imagine an open door. Now imagine that someone being dragged through backwards by the ankles. Yes, that’s me clinging for dear life to the door frame. I’ll admit it.

It took about 15 years from the time I told God earnestly that I would NEVER be a missionary, to the time I agreed to do one six month Discipleship Training School (DTS). It took about four years from the time that I decided to do a DTS until I actually got on a plane. You could call me a slow mover, and that would be fair.

However: It took about three days of being in Belfast, for God to break my heart for that country, show me my own brokenness, and promise healing for us both in the future. Over the last three years, I’ve begged God to let me continue my life and work in Ireland – and SOON PLEASE. As much as I have ached to come home to Northern Ireland, God has been clear about the timing. This is the first time I’ve ever been the one pulling at the bit! Even so, the time at home has been needed and valuable in so many ways – God really knew what He was doing when He asked me to stay home for a while.

And for the first time, as things look more scary and impossible, I’m beginning to feel “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) I anticipate this month will be full of challenges of many kinds, but I’m so grateful that no matter what comes up, I can rest on the promises and faithfulness of God.

So tell me… What’s going on with you this week?