Beauty from Ashes

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and  lose heart."                                                                                                                                                                       Hebrews 12:1-3 (emphasis mine)

 

Transform

This current journey to Africa all started with a prayer.

"Transform me, Lord." 

I prayed these words in September of 2015 as I began an amazing study of the book of Revelation & was asked, "Though I come intrigued, do I desire to leave transformed?  Revelation will lead us o prayer & worship as never before." 
(pg 6, BSF notes, Lesson 2)

I then responded to another question, "What are my concerns as I begin this study of Revelation? What am I looking forward to?"  

My response was honest, heart-felt, and sincere.  I responded, "That I won't understand Revelation and through not understanding I won't be able to adequately share His Light, Life, & Love with others.  Or, that I would miss the blessings myself.  I am looking forward to letting go of fear & having my heart further transformed.  I am yearning to have fear replaced with joy, peace & security.  May this study be heart knowledge and not just head knowledge."  

 How God continues to amaze me.  When we seek Him, He is so amazingly faithful to meet us (as promised in Matthew 6:33).  When we draw near to Him, He is faithful to draw near to us (as promised in James 4:8). When we pray, He is faithful to answer, and in ways that, even though it might not be the way we hoped or necessarily to our liking, are absolutely perfect, just as He is divinely Perfect.  

Allow me to share how He has been answering this prayer of transformation, and how this upcoming journey to Africa is all a part of His beautiful work of redemption in my life.  And, how the attached pictures indeed have incredible significance in being a tangible reminder of His beautiful work in my life.  

This is a story of Isaiah 61:1-3, which reads:

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives

to comfort all who mourn...

provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor."

Likewise, this story begins all the way back in the spring of 1993: my freshman year of college.  A year of complete brokenness, intense mourning, and an incredible spirit of despair upon being the victim of date rape (and then spiraling downward through years of emotional shame).  I remember never experiencing such brokenness, such pain & heart-ache.  Yet, I also remember the foundation of my childhood coming to the forefront as never before.  

Jesus was with me & He was holding me.  He was wiping every tear from my eyes (Rev  21:4) & beginning the life-long transforming process of making all things new (Ephesians 4:20-24 , Rev 21:5).  He would heal completely my brokenness.  He forgave me & called me His Beloved. Faithfully, & ever-so timely, He would bring about all things for good (Romans 8:28).  Now, this is hindsight talking, as I wasn't necessarily thinking of that as 1993 continued to unfold!  At that time, I simply needed to rest in Him, & allow Him to hold me.

Fast forward to the present and all that God is currently orchestrating in putting together this mission trip to Fundong, Cameroon.   Witness how He is bringing beauty from the ashes:

• I am introduced to Days for Girls non-profit in Sept, 2015.  My heart is moved, in spite of my non-understanding at the time as to exactly why 
• Upon being invited to be a part of Cameroon missions, I discover the possibility of a ministry opportunity within the young girls of the orphanage in Fundong, Cameroon (which our trip will be based out of & from)
• The idea is put into motion, reaching out to members of our church to organize and donate items to put together female hygiene kits for the sweet young girls in Fundong.  As of today, God has faithfully provided through His servants every component for the taking of 30 kits to this orphanage in Cameroon.   
• Upon beginning discussions with key contacts with the orphanage, another piece falls into place that continues to leave me shaking with emotion.  God in His divine, perfect, amazing goodness....bringing beauty from ashes.  It came to my attention that, in the fall of 2015 (as I was praying about all things Cameroon & being introduced to Days for Girls & seeing how it might be a bridge component to being able to speak on all things Jesus) there was an unfortunate incident where one of the young girls in the orphanage was taken advantage of sexually.  The directors and staff of the orphanage have since been floundered in how to address/discuss/come out of this situation and come alongside this young girl (& the others in the orphanage both now & in the future).  A need is recognized.  God is on the move...God is present...God is concerned & is using us (I stand amazed).  It does not go unnoticed how God is using me, li'l ole me, and how He is using this trip as an act of redemption...and tool to speak into another's life.  
• On this trip, we have the opportunity to speak into, and plant seeds, into the culture, this generation, and all future generations.  Out of our feminine hygiene education has come the opportunity to share the love of Jesus.  An opportunity to share how getting lost in His Love is how we make it through the hard things in life, & accepting His forgiveness of us allows us freedom to embrace the joy that comes in living an abundant life that He desires for us.  Likewise, boys will be learning from other men how to Biblically respect women.  This can (& will) be of huge  benefit to future cultures, changing their current shame-based  culture into one of redemption, respect, & righteousness. As I write, lessons are being planned between one of our male team members and the director of the orphanage and another local pastor.  Praise Him!

 I stand amazed.  One simple prayer, and He is reaching into the very details of my life and working to redeem, shine His Light, bring darkness into  light, and offering love through all the shame to this very child He loves dearly.  I stand amazed...He is using me. 

 
 As I close, I am reminded of how an explanation of all these photos needs to be shared.  Many of you have, no doubt, seen me wear the above necklace.  It is a treasure, indeed.

Many do not know of it's significance to me, however.  Allow me to share, as it is my tangible reminder of how God is always actively at work in our lives to transform, if we but simply allow Him to do so.  

A dear friend & I sought to express bits of our personality along with God's glorifying, transformative work in us.  We were (and are) runners, and sought to bring to life the Scripture verses found in Hebrews 12:1-3.  Along with a runner girl, we thought about the transformative work that a butterfly undergoes in it's lifetime.  How, it starts out as a caterpillar and, upon going through the chrysalis process, emerges on the other side a beautiful butterly.  

Thus, our necklace was born.  Another dear friend hand-crafted it for us, all from drawings we submitted, and photos taken from a butterfly exhibit we joyfully experienced.  Our runner girl is running after the butterfly, a tangible reminder of our call to continue to persevere, keeping our eyes ever focused on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith.  We are called to consider all He endured at the cross in order to continue on in the race He has for us.  

This is part of my race.  May I continue to persevere in His strength, in His Light, & in His equipping hands of grace.  

May all glory be to you, oh great Christ, Our King!